Entertainments in ancient Rome, including gladiators fighting to the death, were distractions from the political shenanigans of the day. Today comedian Stephen K Amos employs the same tactics with his new show Bread and Circuses.

Stephen drops into Swindon's Arts Centre on Thursday, November 16 at 8pm with his sharp political satire and observational comedy touching on the events of the day, racism including the sale of golliwog dolls and Love Island.

"If that's not a major distraction technique I don't know what is,'' said Stephen, of one of the biggest TV series of the summer. "The world is now one one big crazy circus.''

The comedian always steps up to the mark when it comes to helping charities, appearing in a Children In Need edition of Mastermind answering questions on the band Five Star and taking on the role of Nelson Mandela in a comedy sketch for BBC's Sports Relief, along with the England rugby squad, but his celebrity supporter slot is given to The British Red Cross and their work with refugees.

Being sandwiched between Dara O Briain and Frankie Boyle on BBC TV's Live At The Apollo did him no harm as he was invited back as host and compere in 2010. He has brought a new show to the Edinburgh Fringe every year since 2003.

He acted in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest on stage both at the Fringe and in the London production, as well as securing a main stage slot on London's Gay Pride stage in 2010, followed by a standing ovation set at Reading and Leeds Rock Festival, on the alternative stage.

Turning his hand to cookery in the Great British Bake Off in 2013 Stephen cooked up a comic treat, while his sporting side was seen in Soccer AM. He is a fan of West Ham Utd.

He says the bread side of his new show comes from his musing on how bread and cakes are now all artisan types.

"No one is eating the regular bread any more. What was once a staple food of the poor has become £4 a loaf,'' he said.

His TV appearances include The Royal Variety Show, EastEnders, Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, and his Channel 4 documentary on homophobia in the black British Community and Jamaica entitled Batty Man, was nominated for a BAFTA and won a Royal Television Society Award.

The comedian starred and co-wrote an autobiographical radio comedy What Does The K Stand For performing as a son living in a Nigerian family in 1980s Britain. The third series written by Stephen and Jonathan Harvey was broadcast in January this year.

Tickets to see Stephen at the Old Town theatre in Devizes Road are £20 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison