AN interview with Craig Hill is like his stage show – hilarious, fast-paced and unpredictable, with the odd song or two thrown in too.

The kilted comedian is on his way to Glasgow, via Ayr, Inverness, Livingston and assorted other places around Scotland as part of his latest tour, C’mon The Lads!

Despite the title, and the publicity poster, it has – as anyone who knows Craig, or has ever seen his stand-up show, will understand – absolutely nothing to do with football.

“Absolutely not, although it does feature joyous dancing along to the Grandstand theme,” he says, adding with a knowing nod: “It’s not as butch a tune as you might think.”

He adds, cheerily: “The things I can do with my sporran along to the sound of that timpani…”

The poster has caused a little bit of confusion , he admits.

“At the Fringe, one guy came to the show dressed as George Best, because he thought it WAS about football,” recalls Craig. “The best thing is that not only did he stay anyway, because he was having so much fun, he came back the next night….”

The 2019 dates come hard on the heels of Craig’s hugely successful tours of Australia and the UK and his twentieth season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Glasgow-born comic, who grew up in East Kilbride, turned his hand to stand-up encouraged by dozens of his hairdressing clients. They found themselves in fits of laughter at his antics while doing their hair, and eventually, he took a leap of faith and swapped cutting fringes for Fringe festivals, and a legend was born.

Since his first Fringe in 1999, every single run has sold out. He has performed at Australian comedy festivals for 15 years, taken to the stage at the London Palladium and in 2015 was UK Ambassador for Montreaux Comedy Festival’s Joke Nation contest. He is a well-kent face on television and in 2017, made his Glastonbury debut, welly boots, kilt and all.

His act, he says, has naturally evolved over the years, but its heart remains the same. Audiences love his good-natured teasing and cheeky comebacks, all delivered like he is just having a chat with you down the pub (or while he’s cutting your hair). Half an hour at a Craig Hill gig and it feels like you have known him all your life.

“The off the cuff stuff is what helps keep me sharp,” he says. “I’m still singing, still dancing – but I do much, much more improvisation than I used to.

“It makes it more spontaneous. I love that every gig is unique. I have more faith in myself now. I’m much more confident about improvising.”

“Yes, it’s a wee bit nervewracking and of course I always have some back up material just in case it all falls flat but generally it doesn’t – people love to chat.”

He adds, breaking into song: “And people are the same, wherever you go-o.. the audiences who come to my shows in Glasgow are very similar to the ones who come to see me in Australia. They know there’s nothing cruel in what I say, I don’t want to humiliate people. And if you don’t want to join in at all, well, you know not to sit in the front row.”

Craig is excited about performing again at Oran Mor – “one of my FAVOURITE venues. I love Glasgow audiences – they are so honest, and their patter is much funnier than mine” – and for the first time at Ayr Gaiety.

“I can’t believe I have never been to the Gaiety before,” he marvels. “It’s proper, old-fashioned variety, so it’s right up my street.” He jokes: “And it’s got GAY in the title. I never even went as a child – we always went to pantos in Glasgow.”

He adds, smiling: “We went to Ayr of course, always to Butlins – kept it classy. Loved that Beachcomber Bar. There were always talent competitions on, and you’d think I’d have taken part but I don’t think I did.”

The 2019 tour has already taken Craig all over the UK, and he will finish up once again in Australia in the spring.

“My friends tell me I should do a travelogue show or write a travel guide to the world’s cities,” he laughs. “I write everything down about every place I go to. I’m obsessive about it – every hotel I stay in, every restaurant, café, art gallery. All in alphabetical order, with five things I like about them – honestly, EVERY detail.

“I just like exploring – rather than turn up, do a gig and leave, I like to find out about the wee back street shops and the museums, and meet the people who run them. It makes life more interesting.”

His current favourites are Birmingham - “it’s vibrant and has a nice feel to it” and Dundee - “pulling its socks up, big time, now that the V&A is there”, and of course, Glasgow.

“I can have free rein in Glasgow, “ he says. “Sometimes in Leeds, or Sydney, or wherever, I think, och I can’t say that, people won’t get it. In Glasgow I can freely use the patter.”

Craig, who was born in Pollok, now lives in Edinburgh.

“I love everything about it,” he says. “I even love the trams, although you’re not supposed to. Every city has something, though - a saving grace. I love discovering them.”

He enjoys touring, as he doesn’t drive and travels by train instead.

“I can imagine if you have just done a late gig and have a two hour drive home, that’s not great,” he nods. “But I enjoy the peace and quiet on the train. It’s a nice balance, being able to be on my own sometimes.”

Australia has become a home away from home, he says.

“It’s lovely, as I catch up with other comedians out there and it’s like a second family,” he smiles. “I’m very Scottish about it though - been going 15 years, still no tan.”

He adds: “I do love to travel. I’m full of admiration for people who spend their retirement years doing things. I feel like life is there to be relished, and it’s important not to waste a second.

“Otherwise, one day you’ll die, and you won’t have seen China.”

Craig Hill’s C’mon the Lads is at the Gaiety Ayr on February 22 and at Oran Mor on March 15 and 16.