LARGER-THAN-LIFE comic Ricky Grover grew up in the East End and says he will feel like he is returning home when he takes to the stage at Jongleurs comedy club in Bow this weekend.

The 46-year-old Essex-based king of madcap (as he likes to refer to himself) enjoys off the wall humour and says he takes pleasure in giving the audience his life history in relation to his pants.

"I was born in Forest Gate and I moved to Plaistow, Stratford and Canning Town when I was growing up so I always love coming back to the East End," said Ricky.

"My mum, Sylvie, still lives in West Ham. She'll never move because she'll miss her bingo too much and I never stay away long because I miss my pie and mash."

West Ham fan Ricky, whose credits include a stint opposite Capital Radio presenter Johnny Vaughan on the sitcom 'Orrible, is at Jongleurs, in Grove Road, Bow Wharf, on Friday April 4 and 5.

"I do everything off the cuff - I just go out and talk about whatever pops into my head," said dad-of-one Ricky.

"Coming back to Bow can always be a bit of a surprise though because I look down in the audience and see old faces from school, or my nan sitting there.

"I always make sure I keep the routine fresh because if I keep repeating a joke then even I get bored with it."

Ricky has appeared in various television programmes, including Red Dwarf, Fist of Fun, 'Orrible, The 11 O'Clock Show, Honky Sausages and Black Books.

One of his most regular characters is called Bulla, a violent offender who featured on the 11 O'Clock Show.

"I'm really going to be pushing Bulla this year - he's been popular on You Tube," added Ricky.

Ricky has been married to wife Maria for 25 years. "It's been 25 years with no parole," he interrupts.

"But seriously, my wife and daughter keep me on the straight and narrow, without them I wouldn't know what I'm doing. They tell me where I'm performing and off I go."

l Ricky is at Jongleurs tomorrow and Saturday. Doors open 7pm, last entry is 8pm.

The line-up tomorrow is John Ryan, Philberto, Ricky, Spencer Brown, and Jason Wood.

On Saturday the bill comprises John Ryan, Dan Evans, Ricky Grover, Michael Legge, and Jason Wood. Tickets cost from £13 tomorrow and from £14 on Saturday.

Free entry to Club-Risa with a Jongleurs ticket, dancing until 2am. To book tickets visit the website in related links or call 0844 844 0044.