It's surely the loneliest place in entertainment – a solo comedian telling their jokes, and bracing themselves for the instant, audible judgement about how well they're doing, writes Gemma Collins.

But how does a comedian build up their act, ready for the audience to applaud or deplore?

Geordie lass Sarah Millican, bagged herself an if.comedy newcomer award at the Edinburgh Festival 2008, and is fast forging her name on the international comedy scene.

She's been pleasing the crowds for more than five years, with a gentle delivery style that subtly disguises her dark and dirty demeanour.

And on Sunday, the rude little madam is doing not one, but two shows in Leicester, including her rough and ready 'half show' Work In Progress.

"I'm in the middle of what I'd call an admin session, so you're a welcome break," says Sarah, as we talk on the phone.

"When I write a new hour now, I start in September just after the Edinburgh Festival, so I hate it when a comedian says, 'that show, oh, I just wrote that on the train, it took me a few hours.'

"People do that so they look cool, because it takes me nine months," she shouts, getting more comically agitated by the second.

So where does the material come from? "Everything sources back to me, so I don't really have to look far for comedy material," she explains.

"A friend recently had a test for polycystic ovaries, and it turns out she has it, and is pleased.

"Now, it's a widely known fact I don't want kids, and neither does she, so I called her a lucky cow. Come on – she has a reason why she has a beard and a belly."

So she starts writing her new act in September, and sets herself deadlines. Leicester Comedy Festival is usually one.

"Leicester is very important to my gig. If you've seen it in Leicester, and like it, you're responsible for my future finished show, and this festival has a clever and sharp audience."

Festival director Geoff Rowe agrees. He says the city has worked hard to ensure the festival is a comfortable space for acts to try new material.

"A joke can seem funny in your house, but you never know how it's going to work in front of an audience," confesses Sarah.

Right now she reckons about five out of 10 of her jokes work.

"Hopefully, by the end of the festival I could be at seven, fingers crossed."

Sarah records all her shows, as it helps to remember which jokes worked, and which she should put straight into the bin. At first she starts writing down funny thoughts in her phone. She also takes a note book everywhere.

"There's usually a punch line. I don't just write 'dog', but it's about finding the leanest way to the punchline."

So her Work in Progress show is going to be a fun, fluid hour, and Sarah will quite literally be ticking or crossing off the jokes, as they're received.

But the first outing is going to be rough and ready, she says.

"This part is the most exciting for me. Anything can happen, but when an audience believes you, that's when I feel like a funny person."

But don't be going easy on her now. She's assured us she's quick-witted and acid tongued enough to handle hecklers.

"I'll be there with my cup of tea in one hand, list of jokes in the other, and nerves of steel."

INFO: Sunday February 14, Sarah Millican: Typical Woman, 7.30pm; Sarah Millican: Work In Progress, 9.30pm, The Richard Attenborough Centre, Leicester.