ANY stuffy academics at the University of Kent had better brace themselves...one of the world's most controversial comedians is on his way.

Australia's second most famous export, Jim Jeffries, will perform at the Gulbenkian Theatre on campus in November with a show that is sure to shock.

Previous tours have included jokes on missing Madeleine McCann and family bereavements and he told the Times his new material would be just as close to the bone.

"I've got a 20 minute story about taking a disabled friend to a brothel," he said.

"It's a mixture of new stories and some of the most popular although I don't talk about Manchester Comedy Club any more."

The club incident in 2007 is arguably how he became famous, when an offended member of the audience rushed onto the stage and set about attacking the comic until he was pulled off by fans.

There have been other similar assaults since then but he is not worried.

He said: "I find comedy audiences are self-believing. Someone would come to my assistance if I got into difficulties in any horrible way.

"I still go out and talk to people. I'm not that worried. John Lennon was walking around for eight years before he got shot, not that I'm saying I'm John Lennon!"

His last appearance in the city was at the Marlowe Theatre and he is looking forward to playing the smaller Gulbenkian.

But any shy retiring types would do well to stay away as it means he will get a good look at his audience.

Jim said: "I have always liked Canterbury and with a smaller venue there will be a lot more audience participation.

"There will still be a crowd of people there so we can have some fun.

"It's a longer show and I can talk to the crowd a lot more."

The comic spent eight years living in England but has now relocated to LA, although he insists it is not as glamorous as it sounds.

He said: "It is another industrial town. It is not a very beautiful place to live. It's just a whole lot of factories and I spend most of my time indoors when I'm here.

"It's nice because the tour is pretty hectic but I'm always touring. I've just been doing America non-stop. That is how I make my money. It is only when I'm on the road that I make money.

"Once I am there I am happy because I go out and have a drink and enjoy the show, it's just the travelling that I hate."

Jim Jeffries will be at the Gulbenkian Theatre on Friday, November 7. For tickets, call 01227 769075.