TOM Stade is an expert at making wrong choices.

But a succession of bad decisions has led the Canadian-born stand-up to where he is now, a “big a** star” living in Edinburgh, ”the best city in the world” — so all things considered it all turned out pretty well.

This realisation inspired his latest show Decisions, Decisions, which will come to the Arts Centre on April 17.

“I’d say I’ve made all the ‘right’ wrong decisions I had to make,” laughs the 45-year-old. “I decided one day I didn’t need a couple of my teeth. It’s funny how I can’t even remember the day I decided to get them pulled out. Did it really matter in the end? No, it didn’t.

“I don’t look back, worry about what I do and ask ‘have I made the right decision?’. Bad decisions lead you to the best places.”

One of these many decisions, which again he didn’t quite plan or remember specifically, was to move to the UK from Canada.

Since these early days, he has built a reputation for his singular brand a comedy – a hodge podge of un-PC gags, barmy anecdotes and witty observations.

“Comedy is trying to find the lighter side in the darkness. It’s not that I don’t feel other people’s pain but there has to be a place where you’re allowed to laugh at some things.”

He has visited Swindon many a time on tour but he can’t quite recall how he ended up in the town in the first place.

“It’s one of those decisions I can’t remember. But I’ve been to Swindon loads. I’m coming back as the king of Swindon. All Hail the Commander.”

The Commander will be at the Arts Centre at 8pm on Friday, April 17. To prostrate yourself before him, book tickets (£17) at swindontheatres.co.uk or on 01793 524481.