New Zealand comedian Kevin McCarron started performing in the UK in 1997, and is now best known as resident compere for several nights in the Laughing Horse Comedy chain, which he helps to run.

He is also an academic, teaching stand-up courses alongside his more formal job.

I thought I went to the same gig as David Beddingfield until I saw that he left his comment in May 2011. I saw Kevin hosting a new act competition last night and he was the worst act - which was quite an achievement. He proceeded to ask 10 people in the front row their occupation, but didn't attempt to make a funny remark about any of them. It was actually the audience who made a few wise cracks. He failed to clearly announce the acts or get the crowd to applaud them after they came off, some acts took to bypassing him and going on stage and introducing themselves. After the interval he actually attempted a few jokes, but these were all about how other comics had handled hecklers. Time to retire

MoTown, April 2012

Saw him last night hosting a new act competition and he was terrible. Created absolutely no atmosphere whatsoever, and rushed through acts so quickly that some were still on stage as the next one was being introduced. Felt robbed that I'd been charged £7.50 to watch him, an absolute disgrace.

David Beddingfield, May 2011

None better, absolute genius. You will hear those around on the comedy circuit talking about " the first rule of comedy" and other shite such as that. Kev has no rules he is just bloody funny.

phil dinsdale, April 2007