JOHN Robins isn’t a stranger when it comes to shame.

After covering the subject extensively on his Radio X show and podcast Robins previously co-hosted with fellow comic Elis James. ‘John’s Shame Well’ – a feature where listeners sent in their shameful memories for Robins to share with the nation – became hugely popular.

Now the comedian has decided to step away from the radio microphone and that the topic on the road.

In his live show Hot Shame, Robins is sharing some of his own embarrassing experiences.

“I think shame is a damaging emotion,” explains the comic.

“There’s something quite cathartic about seeing someone own stories that they might otherwise have kept to themselves.

“Everyone has shameful memories, and whereas guilt is private, shame is a very public thing.

“You feel guilty about stuff that no one knows about, but shame is about moments of getting things wrong in public or wondering what other people think of you.”

And it is this idea of shame and embarrassment that Robins is pulling from.

With a reputation of not shying away from some of the world’s bleakest moments, the Bristolian will be baring his soul no matter where the narrative takes him.

He added: “The objectively bad stuff you do doesn’t seem to linger as much, because you regret those things and apologise. But when shame’s attached to something that you shouldn’t be ashamed of, it can cause real damage.

“For example, if someone’s on a date and they shit themselves, they haven’t done anything wrong. It’s a horrific experience and I can imagine it would haunt someone for their entire life, but no one has done anything wrong there.”

In 2017 the comic won the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award - formerly The Perrier Award - for his show ‘The Darkness Of Robins’.

And the radio presenter said that this new show Is an evolution of his award-winning one.

Robins continued: “‘I think it does [follow on] in the tone, but not otherwise. This show is a bit more fluid – I’d like to have a show that you can cut up and put it in any order and it still works.”

As well as being comfortable on the stage, Robins is the voice of radio for many a listener and will soon be joining the BBC as part of its Five Live programming.

He added: “Having now been through security at the BBC, in comparison Radio X seems positively relaxed.

“I’m sure I’ll have to bite my tongue at times, or get Elis to bite it for me, if that’s not too troubling an image.”

Robins will be appearing at the Haymarket on September 13, for more visit anvilarts.org.uk.