Watching Andrew Lawrence perform is like watching a train wreck: you know it’s happening and you know you should look away but something tucked away in the darkest part of your subconscious fixes your eyes and ears to it.

Despite winning a host of awards in 2004, his big shot – like many – came from the BBC’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

The scrawny, pale, ginger Londoner captured audiences with his high-pitched, raspy voice and dragged us in with his awkward persona.

It’s a type of comedy that can be compared to watching Alan Partridge or The Office – the type that makes you want to eat your own hand before laughing.

Lawrence’s ability to interact with the crowd is something that’s been lost in mainstream comedy, and he’s very good at it.

And with Brighton Comedy Festival just around the corner, he still packed Komedia out on a Wednesday night.

Much of his uncomfortable charm can still be seen in his performance but there is something very sinister about his material now. There is darkness is buried in all of us and it takes a talented comic to bring it out of you and make you laugh.