FOR an aspiring comedian, Brian Limond keeps good company. He's up there alongside Ricky Gervais in the podcast charts, has appeared on Radio 4, and is even in talks with the people behind comedy Chewin' the Fat.

Unlike most young comics, Brian hasn't earned his fame through endless open mic spots in comedy clubs. He's achieved it all from the comfort of his own living room. Exclusive Limmy podcast Limmy has had the world trooping to his web site to hear his unique take on Glasgow. For a sample CLICK HERE

Brian's monologue podcasts, known to all as Limmy's World of Glasgow, have made him the talk of the town.

Foul-mouthed, overtly sexual and violent they may be, but they can also be brutally funny.

The series of daily podcasts which ran for 12 weeks and featured nine different characters, made the 32-year-old from Carnwadric, almost overnight, the coolest name to drop in comedy circles.

Characters such as the ultra-violent ned John Paul, former heroin addict Jacqueline McCafferty and murderous priest Tom turned Limmy's World of Glasgow into a huge cult hit, catapulting Brian into the iTunes podcast charts alongside the creator of The Office.

"It's totally mad," says Brian, shaking his head. "Around 2000 people were downloading the podcast every day."

Limmy.com was born in 2000, when Brian was working for a Glasgow multi-media company. "I made wee animations and two years later when I got a video camera, I started making videos.

"I decided to do a podcast because I'd heard Ricky Gervais' podcast and thought that sounded easy to make."

The podcasts are not for the faint-hearted. Graphic sex and violence are common themes but there is a sense of the familiar about Brian's characters. That's because the city has no shortage of extreme characters, he says.

"I got my inspiration from the people of Glasgow. Like these street preachers who say things like 'I was a heroin addict, I was an alcoholic, I stole from my family and it was when I was down on my knees I said, Jesus, I need your help'.

"These guys are great."

From his flat in Bridgeton, which she shares with girlfriend Lynn, Brian's website has reached a global audience.

But not all of them are happy about his portrayal of Glasgow.

Brian says: "One of them said: 'I've been to Glasgow, it's a great place and it's nothing like how Limmy is making it out'.

"Someone else said 'I'm from Glasgow and this is not your average Glaswegian'. I didn't know if they were talking about the characters or me but I thought, do you seriously have to tell people that the average Glaswegian isn't a priest with murder in mind or a ned who's slashing people to ribbons? It's ridiculous."

Brian is now set to emerge from the relative safety of the computer screen, as limmy.com takes to the stage for two live shows as part of Glasgow Comedy Festival.

Live comedy was not part of the original masterplan, Brian admits, and it's come as a shock to find himself about to face a live audience.

"I'm one of those people who would never even get up for karaoke, never, ever, not even for a joke," he laughs.

"This is one of the biggest things I've ever done. It's good to have these things you thought you couldn't do, it makes you feel a bit more invincible."

Featuring a few familiar faces from World of Glasgow, sketches and "even a wee bit of song and dance" both shows sold out within hours.

It's a step in the right direction toward his ultimate goal - his very own sketch show.

"I'm not quite on the verge of becoming the new Chewin' the Fat," he adds, "but that's what I'm aiming at."

•Limmydotcom Live, Sunday, March 11 and Saturday, March 24, Blackfriars.

SEVEN years ago, he was a cheeky teenager with a razor-sharp wit many of his peers could only dream of matching.

Bursting with talent, Des Clarke was soon on the fast track to success. Win Des tickets THE Evening Times has teamed up with the festival to offer five readers the chance to win two tickets each to The Des Clarke Show at The Garage on Friday, March 16 and a case of Magners Irish Cider.

To have a chance of winning simply call 0901 221 0253 and leave your answer to the question, along with your name, address and daytime phone number. Or e-mail your entry (using 'Des Clarke' as your subject title) to: greatgiveaways@glasgow.newsquest.co.uk QWhich comedian is performing at The Garage on Friday March 16?

n All entries must be received by Friday March 9. Calls cost 25p. Mobile rates may vary. Usual Evening Times competition rules.

• For tickets and a full programme of shows call the Festival Hotline on 0870 013 5464 or visit www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com

To many a seasoned comedian, seven years is just the beginning of a comedy apprenticeship, but for Des it's already seem him win six prestigious awards, front his own radio programme and host several successful TV shows. He was the proverbial cheeky young upstart who came good.

"I was Wayne Rooney without the chunky legs and potato face," says Des. "I got a lot of success quite quickly which was lucky. Within four months I was runner-up at a talent competition. I was still only 19."

The real starting point in the 26-year-old's career came when he was 11 and attending Holyrood Secondary.

It's not too much of a stretch of the imagination to imagine Des as the impish pupil entertaining his classmates with one-liners.

"Me and my mate decided to enter the school talent show, which involved us doing five minutes on stage of stupid, corny impressions.

"It was brilliant. There were about 500 people in the audience and at that age you're walking about in a daze with spots on your face, so any sort of acceptance is great. We ended up winning the talent show. The sixth year band were so hacked off. From then on, I was bitten by the bug.

"When I was 19, I got up in Blackfriars comedy club, did five minutes and I've been doing it ever since."

The rest of 2007 will see Des take a break from TV work such as fronting Children in Need and stv's Club Cupid ("like Blind Date but Scottish-ified and if Blind Date was filmed in a club at 2am") to go on a solo tour.

Before that, however, you can see him as part of the Glasgow Comedy Festival.

It may clash with Comic Relief's TV bash, but that doesn't worry Des. "I promise there will be no sycophantic celebrities telling each other how brilliant they are or playing cricket with Africans."

• The Des Clarke Show, Friday March 16, 8pm, The Garage