COMEDIAN Hardeep Singh Kholi is a fervent Scottish National Party supporter and was just six weeks away from becoming an MP.

He was shortlisted but realised that an old friend had also been shortlisted, so Hardeep withdrew. But he still appeared at rallies for Scottish independence, and spoke out in support of the Yes vote in the 2014 campaign.

The comic says he has always been interested in politics right from a child. He remembers getting excited over the general election coverage when he was only a young boy, so it is no surprise that his latest show, Alternative Fact, has politics as its central theme.

“It was while I was doing my show called The Mix Tape, chatting about music, that I realised that the world of politics was going to hell in a handcart. I knew I had to follow my heart and do a show about politics. The show is both funny and reflective,” he said. Alternative Fact will be heading for Swindon as part of the UK tour.

The comedian’s deep interest in current affairs has led him to be a firm favourite for TV news programmes such as The Wright Stuff, Question Time and This Week, and he got asked to report for The One Show.

“The One Show was hard work. I was supposed to do it for six months and stayed for three years. I had a great time, but it burned me out.

“It certainly made me famous overnight. It was weird - people felt as though they knew me and would engage with me,’’ he said.

The comedian became known for his series of comedy and cooking programmes, including Indian Takeaway, Chat Masala, Celebrity Master Chef and Nearly Naked Chef, and also cooked live on stage.

“I like to live dangerously,’’ he said. “I am thinking of bringing back the curry nights!’’

He said that he actually learn to cook from his mum and grandmother.

‘’There was no sister so one of the brothers had to learn to cook,’’ he said. ‘’Everything my mum cooks is special. I always say that anything else is second best in the world, except for my pork belly which is well regarded. I hope they are talking about my cooking not my tummy!’’

His cooking skills stood him in good stead when he was studying law at university as he worked in a vegetarian restaurant to earn some cash.

When he left university he turned his back on the law and went to work for the BBC on children’s television.

‘’Working on programmes I had watched as a child was a great kick,’’ he said.

Hardeep’s political mindset also makes him compassionate, and a campaigner for those in trouble.

The comedian took part in a documentary called Famous, Rich and Homeless where he actually lived on the streets. “You can’t really compare to what the people go through - I had a security team - but we tried to make it as meaningful and find out as close as possible what it meant to be homeless. It was life changingfor me and I still help the homeless charities now.’’

The comedian is a big fan of radio and explored his own Indian roots, his family came from India in the 1960s, when he presented a documentary for BBC Radio 4 called Crossing The Border, about Indian independence.

“It made me self aware in unexpected ways, I saw my grandparents’ home,’’ he said. “Radio has the best pictures.’’

Hardeep is bringing Alternative Fact to Swindon’s Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town on Sunday, March 18 as part of his UK tour. tickets are from Call 01793 524481 or go to www.swindontheatres.co.uk to book - Flicky Harrison