WATCH out! Community leader Mr Khan is heading your way in a new live show.

Citizen Khan, the comic creation of Adil Ray, will be stepping out of the TV studio for the first time after four highly-successful series, with a show at King George's Hall, Blackburn, before moving on to Manchester Arena

A writer and presenter rather than a stand-up, Adil Ray says he is excited about the prospects of taking Citizen Khan on the road.

“I must confess I did wonder what I’d got myself into when we first decided to take the show out live,” he said. “But we shoot all the TV episodes in front of a live audience.

“It is so gratifying to see those audiences. You have people wearing the hijab, you have white families. There is every age group and from all different backgrounds.

“I don’t think there are that many mixed audiences in theatres and it will be a lovely thing to see people laughing together.”

The opinionated Mr Khan is, Adil admits, based on several people he knew growing up.

“He is pretty conceited and always thinks he’s in the right,” said Adil. “But he’s also just trying to do the best for his family. His heart is in the right place.

“I just hope if we can show that no matter what background you are from, you still have the same concerns and insecurities, people will become more understanding and tolerant of each other.

“I’d like to show people that the scary man down the road isn’t that scary after all.”

For the live show, Adil will be engaging the audience throughout.

“I need the audience to be my friend in this,” he said. “It’s not the kind of show which is a typical stand-up show full of jokes. It will be more of an on-going conversation with the audience.

“It is pretty daunting but we have done a couple of warm-up shows and I absolutely loved it. The audience was so warm.”

In some respects, the live theatre show may actually be easier for Adil.

“With the TV shows, we have to come up with a new script every four days, learn it and shoot it,” he said. “It’s pretty relentless.

“With the live show, I’ve had weeks to refine things, which is a bit of a luxury. But because I will be interacting with the audience, I’m sure that no two nights will be the same. The first 20 minutes or so won’t really be scripted as such as I want to talk to the audience and find out more about them.”

As well as different communities coming along to enjoy the show, Adil also hopes that different generations will also be attending.

“Rather like the TV series, it’s very much a family show. Kids love Mr Khan because he can just be plain daft at times.

“There may be a few political comments in there but nothing too heavy - the main aim is to create a fun evening for everyone.”

A fun evening it promises to be but Adil is also very aware of the positive impact his show can have on towns such as Blackburn.

“If different communities can understand each other more and see that they have far more in common than they may at first imagine that can only bring them closer together.

“Comedy is a great vehicle for getting rid of unnecessary barriers.”

Citizen Khan — They All Know Me, King George’s Hall, Blackburn. Tuesday, April 26. Details from 0844 847 1664. The show is also at Manchester Arena on Saturday, May 7. Details from 0800 847 8000.