This slightly awkward punster peddles a relentless line of absurdist one-liners of wildly variable quality.

A handful of them are real beauties, but there's also more that the fair share of groaners, punchlines that are too obviously flagged and, conversely, gags just that bit too obscure to get a laugh.

And, as a relative newcomer, Brookes still seems too ill at ease behind the microphone to win over unsure audiences, making the duff lines all the more uncomfortable.

Stage presence comes with experience, though, and this obstacle may be overcome in time. His finest gags indicate a useful talent, even if it is one that has yet to be properly harnessed.