THElast time comedian Dave Hughes was scheduled to visit South Morang, he nearly caused a riot.

When he comes to town later this week, he is hoping for a better reception.

“But if not, it’s a very quick walk to the car after the gig,” laughed the comedian, who is widely known as ‘Hughesy’.

Several years ago when he was working on Triple M radio he failed to make an appearance at a gig at the South Morang Hotel, now Sophia’s Restaurant.

“I didn’t turn up and people weren’t happy, it got a little rowdy so they had to hand out drinks cards until everyone settled down,” he said.

“So that’s pretty much what I know about South Morang.”

He has few qualms about his gig this time round.

“I’ll go anywhere people turn up personally,” Hughes said.

“There’s nowhere I won’t go.”

Over the past few years Hughes has become one of the biggest names in Australian comedy.

He is a breakfast presenter of Nova 100 on weekdays, while he also features every week on The Glass House on ABC-TV and Before the Game on Channel Ten.

Hughes is also a prolific stand-up comedian and is touring all around Australia this year.

“You’ve got to perform to keep your skill, I suppose, so I never want to lose that,” he said. “I enjoy it and it’s not hard, it’s good fun.

“Apart from being tired, the only thing that stops me from doing more is having to get up really early on weekdays.”

Hughes is coming to South Morang on Friday as part of his outer suburban tour, with one show only at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre.

“With the outer suburbs, the thing I’ve found is a lot of people can’t be bothered travelling, so you have to go to them, because they’re not going to come to me,” he said.

But the crowds do come for the comedian who has gained a reputation as one of the funniest in the country.

“Yeah, I don’t think about it too much but I probably should be happier,” Hughes said of his reputation. “I need to take a year off to bask in my own glory.”

Dave Hughes performs at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre on Friday 24 February at 7.30pm. Information 9217 2317.