YOU must be joshing, right? Writing a comedy show takes seven months? A kind of work in progress, work in progress? "You can't just write a show and it be finished," explains curly-haired comedian Josh Widdicombe.

"It's not like writing a novel – erm, not that I've written a novel," he said. "I tend to work in 10-minute slots, and write the show in small chunks."

So, how do you chose what material's good, and what's for the chop then?

"You have to be honest with yourself and trust your judgement. Sometimes you think, 'I know this should be funny' but the audience are not biting.

"It might mean changing a few words here and there, or trying it on another crowd.

"The good thing about comedy is that when people laugh, they're telling you it's funny."

Thankfully for Josh, he's been making the right people laugh, all year long.

The former Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year was nominated for the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer 2011, and supported Stephen Merchant on his Hello Ladies tour.

"There are so many highlights, I barely know where to start. All I do know, now, as I become more well known, it gets harder. I can't fall back on old material – I've used it all.

"My new set will be all post-August stuff. I've not written half of it yet," he said.

So, if you see Josh in Leicester, and like what you hear, you could be responsible for his future finished set.

Not that he's worried. He knows a Leicester audience is sharp and clever when it comes to comedy. That's why the festival is such a comfortable space for acts to try new material.

And talking of material. What can we expect, Josh?

"Currently it's difficult to tell," he says. "I'm quite an unambitious person. I'm not interested in tales of travel or adrenaline. I don't know what I'm interested in to be honest."

Self deprecation, we'd say.

"Seriously though; I'm not someone who finds it easy writing 50 minutes of funny stuff.

"Alcohol helps, I find," he said. "Not that I've got a problem..."

Josh Widdicombe will be road testing his new material at The Little Theatre, Leicester, on February 16. Seann Walsh (another Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year) is also appearing. Tickets cost £10/£12 from 0116 255 1302.