PAUL Chowdry is setting out to defy prejudices with his new show, PC’s World, coming to Bradford next week.

Widely regarded as the leading British Asian male comedian, he has whipped up a fair amount of controversy during his critically-acclaimed career.

In his new show, the comic - who has a fast-growing fanbase following appearances on Channel 4’s Stand-up for the Week and BBC1’s Live at the Apollo and headlining the International Indian Kings of Comedy tour - attempts to find answers to a series of pertinent questions, such as ‘Why do some people regard as humorous what others view as highly offensive?’ and ‘Why has tackling the preconceptions of political correctness become so contentious?’ But Paul, who is also a rising actor with notable roles in films such as Swinging with the Finkles, Colour Me Kubrick, Rogue Trader and It Was an Accident, resents the easy tag of “controversial comedian”.

“My comedy is not that controversial,” he says. “That’s a lazy way of approaching something you don’t like. If you don’t like my act, fair enough. But don’t try to put it in a box.

“It’s weird that people attach the ‘controversial’ label to me. I’m not Frankie Boyle. I don’t say half the things he says. I’m not controversial. My comedy is just jokes.”

But Paul’s comedy does possess the crucial ability to make us think - which he does to considerable effect in PC’s World.

“PC is my initials and also the world I live in. But those initials are not necessarily attached to me,” he says. “The show explores those things we think but don’t dare to say out loud. We might be thinking, ‘He’s an idiot’, but we won’t say it. We don’t say what we mean. We live in a PC world where things on TV are censored.”

He adds: “We’re adults, but we’re so heavily censored in the media, it’s almost offensive. So on stage, I want to say what I mean - with no fear of censorship.

“I’m going to say the kind of things I want to say but can’t usually because they’re not PC.”

He may be a thought-provoking comic, but Paul is quick to point out that with this show the priority is to entertain us.

“When you’re performing in front of a room full of people who have given up their evening to see you, you really have to deliver,” he says.

“You feel responsible for those people and want them to have the best night of their lives. You’re not going to offend them or be controversial for the sake of being controversial.

“If we were more honest and dared say things, we’d actually be living in a more PC World. Censorship has an adverse effect on human beings. Honesty creates a much better society.

“That’s my theme in this show.”

He’s relishing being back on the road and returning to the rush of stand-up.

“I’ve done plays before in Edinburgh, and they’re great, but nothing beats stand-up,” says Paul.

“It is simply the purest art form. The great thing about live comedy is that during those two hours you’re on stage absolutely anything can happen.

“At a stand-up show, everyone has the sense that ‘this is the moment we’re living in’. Every show is different - you never get the same people in the audience. You won’t ever get that feeling on TV. It gives you such a buzz..”

Paul Chowdry is at St George’s Hall on Saturday, September 27. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.