CHRIS McCausland brings his Speaky Blinder stand-up tour to Swindon’s Arts Centre on Sunday, June 2.

The name of the show is a clue to his attitude.

Blind for many years, he refuses to allow it to have a negative impact on his life. His Twitter feed casually announces him as: “That blind comedian – Chris McCausland.”

He said: “We can’t time travel or go back to change horrible things because that could change the whole path. We just have to get on with things.’’

Chris is originally from Liverpool. The 42-year-old’s path to fame was unconventional to say the least.

He was a web developer until his sight deteriorated too much for him to continue. That was 16 years ago, and Chris did open mic slots for the first two years before turning professional.

Speaky Blinder, the show he is currently touring, was a major hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a gathering Chris greatly enjoys – although he admits that he doesn’t like being away from his family for long periods.

“You are there for a month, it is in your face and you are jostled off the pavements - but it is exciting and cool.

“The show is primarily about family life, about becoming a dad, about being a pasty, white northerner, married to a hot-blooded Brazilian called Patricia. Then you get the culture clash! Being blind adds a unique perspective to the conflicts and difficulties of parenthood.”

He likes touring despite obstacles such as having to get used to new hotel rooms and navigating a succession of stages without the luxury of being able to see them. Nevertheless he aims to get home from as many of the dates as possible.

“My tour bus days are over. I have a driver and I do a brief summary of the theatre and where I am in relation to the stage.

“In general I feel comfortable on stage - I don’t bother if I go over the edge. Once I knocked the mic over, but it made people laugh.’’

His first foray into TV was for CBeebies in drama series MeToo!, in which he played a market trader, and Chris has gone on to appear in many other programmes, notably Live At The Apollo and Comedy Central at The Comedy Store.

He says Live At The Apollo is an amazing show to appear on, and relishes bigger gigs. He finds them easier and more enjoyable simply because there are more laughs to be had.

Chris has found that being a comic opens doors to other aspects of showbusiness, notably acting. He fronted a TV ad for Barclays Bank, for example, as well as starring in Jimmy McGovern drama Moving On and making an appearance in EastEnders.

He is candid about the acting gigs: “They pop up because of my comedy - they wouldn’t have for a geeky computer guy. I am a niche actor.

“When you do stand-up you are in charge but in acting you are part of a team. They do your hair, tell you what to do so there is a total lack of responsibility. It’s the camaraderie that is fun, and they give you dinner. I love a bit of pampering,’’ he said.

In Moving On, the acclaimed and long-running anthology series about people dealing with crucial pints in their lives, Chris appeared in an episode called Blind.

He starred as a man who attempts too woo an old friend and persuade her to turn her back on her flawed marriage, and fellow cast members included Anna Crilly, who is a fellow stand-up as well as an actor.

Tickets for the Arts Centre show, which starts at 7.30pm, cost £15, with concessions including group rates available. Call 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison

(Pictures: Steve Ullathorne)