Being funny at 4am is no laughing matter when staying awake is hard enough.

Fortunately, the team on Radio 1's early breakfast show has the help of up-and-coming Brighton comedian Stephen Grant.

Next month the crew, and DJ Scott Mills, will be taking over Sara Cox's breakfast slot for two weeks while she takes a break.

Stephen, 28, a former computer engineer from Westdene, is looking forward to working on the later show - and possibly a lie in or two. Appearing on stage at night then writing gags for the daily 4am to 7am show is hard work.

He said: "I have to stop myself laughing in the background sometimes.

"I'm usually so delirious from lack of sleep, I'll laugh at anything.

"I'll sometimes chip in with a comment or laugh but I don't like to be part of a posse - that's so Eighties.

"It's very easy though, because Scott Mills is such an experienced presenter and DJ."

Stephen is one of Brighton's most famous comedy exports.

After making a 1997 new year's resolution to try stand-up, he is now compere for Krater Comedy Club at Komedia in Gardner Street, Brighton.

The club's Saturday night and Sunday shows are now selling out to nearly 3,000 people a month.

Stephen, a comedy fanatic, said: "People come up after shows and say I should be a comic and don't realise I am one.

"Some people still think the compere is just the ringmaster."

Stephen made the headlines two years ago when he was punched by an audience member who was then chased by fellow comedian and Hove resident Steve Coogan.

He said: "There have been some mad nights.

"One time we had a streaker. He just ran on stage naked before being thrown out."

Stephen, who also wrote gags for Zoe Ball during her time at Radio 1, started writing jokes while working as a computer engineer.

His jokes will raise more than a wry smile with most locals.

Parking, or lack of, high house prices and London day-trippers all crop up.

He said: "It's tough because every time something doesn't work, it's a body blow.

"You've got 200 faces staring up at you with a mixture of sympathy and bewilderment and that's if they're being kind."

Stephen is keen to expand his repertoire with more radio and television work but he isn't about to betray his Brighton roots.

He said: "You don't get much more local than me."