Alan Carr: Spexy Beast DVD & BluRay

Alan Carr emerges onstage at Manchester's MEN Arena in a kimono Hugh Hefner would be proud of. The Playboy look, unsurprisingly, doesn't last long and is soon whipped off in his usual theatrical style. Not only is this a return to Manchester after having moved to London to pursue his television career, but it is the first stand-up tour Carr has ventured out on in four years.

'Spexy Beast' sees Carr return to storytelling and gossiping with his trademark charm. Despite his success of recent years, his anecdotes are often based around very modest and familiar activities, such as grocery shopping and deciding on a new password, which help convey the image of Carr as the everyman. His own comeback also sees the return of hapless fictional flatmate, Monica, who continues to suffer at the receiving end of his acid-tongue.

Although there are a few big laughs, one can't help but feel that Carr perhaps falls back on his fame and immensely likable personality to get away with some slightly unoriginal topics and promising ideas that don't appear to go anywhere. A simple routine about self-service checkouts is met with hoots of laughter from the generous audience.

Without being too revolutionary, it makes for 90 minutes of great light entertainment. Earlier this year, a woman laughed so much during a date on the Spexy Beast tour that she went into labour. If you fancy your chances at achieving a home birth this Christmas, the DVD is available from 14 November.