COMEDIAN Stuart Goldsmith ran away to the circus rather than become a doctor or a lawyer.

He then ran away from the street entertainment circus to become a stand-up comedian.

He soon discovered that creating a show on podcast, with an audience of 10,000 from all around the world, gave him more fame than appearing on TV’s Alan Davies Untitled or Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central.

“But it is more exciting on TV,’’ said Stuart, whose Comedian’s Comedian Podcast hit 8.5m downloads, with guests such as Russell Brand, Reginald D Hunter, Jo Brand, Barry Cryer, and, for the 200th episode, Stewart Lee.

“That was what inspired me to become a comedian. I used that as the wind in my sails for my comedy career. The podcast made it possible to tour my own work, it made TV possible and let’s me do stuff. As a comedian I have artistic freedom, although sometimes you wonder if it’s worth it when you are driving back from Aberdeen in the middle of the night!’’ said Stuart, who is bringing his latest hit show, Like I Mean It, to Swindon.

The show was a huge hit at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival and continues Stuart’s autobiographical comedy theme.

“It is all about parenting, about being happy at last, but finding life can still be infuriating,’’ said Stuart.

“It is my life put into context. It went well at the Fringe, which was my 25th year there. The festival made an impact on my life. It is constantly inspiring and you know everyone and you can feel normal because everyone is a comedian.’’

He says this is a show he is really proud of and he wants to share it.

“To talk about myself in the first person for once, winning Best New Show At Leicester with a flappy, all-over-the-place new material preview was brilliant and my best ever show. I’m so god-damn proud of this; it’s stupider and less clever-clogs and just the funniest stuff I’ve ever created.”

Stuart started off as the unknown stuntman in street theatre as part of the comedy double act Kiosk of Champions with fellow stand-up Richard Sandling. Under the name Beautiful Stu he came second in the 2008 Street Performance World Championship.

“I walked the tightrope eating a packet of crisps,’’ he said. “Street is good grounding for becoming a comedian. If you can draw in the crowd at 9.45am in Covent Garden it teaches you to be funny.’’

The comedian was a finalist in the competition So You Think You’re Funny and says it was helpful in his career, giving him confidence. He became a straight actor for a few years and found himself at The Strand Theatre auditioning for Hamlet. But, he admits, he was really only getting the joy from writing his jokes in the interval.

Acting for children’s television, however, was another thing.

He said: “I got my dream job on CBBC when I was a Cyborg hero from the future. It was a fun time playing a robot.’’

Stuart is no stranger to accolades as he was a 2005 finalist in So You Think You’re Funny, a 2006 finalist in Laughing Horse New Act of the Year, and came third in the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year. He was also a finalist in the BBC’s Witty and Twisted competition.

Last year Stuart toured with Jack Whitehall ending up at a sell-out 12,000 people gig at Wembley arena, followed by a run at the Soho Theatre.

This year he is back on the road with Like I Mean It, stopping off at the Swindon Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town on Wednesday May 23 at 8pm. Tickets are £12.50 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison