Comedian and actor Marcus Brigstock believes that the whole world revolves around stories - and that also goes for his data self!

His latest stand-up show, Devil May Care, sees Marcus as Satan himself, the fallen angel of John Milton’s imaginings in Paradise Lost. He is bringing the devilish show to Swindon this month.

He says he was inspired by Lucifer’s screech right at the end of John Milton’s famous story but this show is no Paradise Lost.

“My devil is full of self pity, hell is full because everyone is a sinner and Satan is sick of it,’’ said Marcus.

“ I am redded up for the whole show,’’ he adds. “It is fun to do, playing stand-up but as another character.’’

The idea is based on the premise that everyone is a sinner for such crimes as using plastic straws.

“Satan is sick of the low level sinner,’’ said Marcus. “In the writing process I moved away from my perception of the blinkered view of Satan and I asked what does Lucifer think about Brexit? People also say Trump is evil? ‘’

The comedian says it is the story that is important. He says that most people accept stories at face value and not see the bigger narrative at play, but the constant in Marcus’ work is always the story, even the TV advertisement where he has a data self, supposedly helping him through life.

Last year the comedian wrote a serious drama for BBC Radio 4 called The Red based on Marcus own recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. It won the Best Single Drama award in the BBC Audio Drama Awards.

“It was an idea I had for a while but had not had the courage to write it. Caroline Raphael was the producer and it was recorded in an old wine cellar so it had great atmosphere,’’ he said.

Marcus is a popular feature on BBC Radio 4 having appeared in the Now Show with Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, Giles Wommbley-Hogg Goes Off, I’ve Never Seen Star Wars, Just A Minute, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and he wrote and co starred in the sit com, The Wilsons Save World.

The comedian may be a bit of a devil, but he has no fear of turning his hand or in this case his feet to tricky roles. He took on the challenge of the title role in the musical theatre version of Barnum.

“I walked over five kilometres on a tight rope,’’ he said. “I would do three full walks before every show, and once in the show. I would fall off! It was an amazing production and I am so thankful to have worked with performers of that quality.’’

Marcus was also delighted to work with Richard Curtis starring as the radio DJ in Love Actually alongside Bill Nighy.

“It was great fun and I would do it again in a flash. Bill Nighy was an utter delight and Richard Curtis is a wonderful writer.”

Marcus first recognised his talent for comedy when he was at Bristol University, but he didn’t think about it as a career until 1996, having had various stabs at jobs when he was 19 years of age, such as working on an oil rig or as a podium dancer for the Ministry of Sound.

“I was just out of rehab, I had dropped from 24 stone to 11 stone and dancing felt good, it was an exuberant celebration of my new life,’’ said Marcus. “And I did enjoy clubbing music then, but now it is 90 per cent jazz.’’

One of the comedian’s favourite hobbies is snowboarding, so he teamed up with Andrew Maxwell to create a comedy and music festival in the French Alps. “The Altitude Festival is still going,” he said.

The comedian’s TV credits include a guest appearance on Have I Got News For You, Live At the Apollo and Excuse My French in which he spent a month living in France and learning the language so he could perform his set.

“It was a decent gig they laughed through out and I had learned enough French that I was able to go about it the same way as I do normal stand-up,’’ he said, but Marcus admits that now he struggles to keep up the French.

Marcus brings his new show Devil May Care to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on November 7 at 8pm. Tickets are £19.50 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison