KEIGHLEY-born radio presenter Nick Ahad is swapping his studio for a stage microphone next month when he makes his stand-up comedy debut.

Ahad, 40, who grew up in Keighley, is taking part in a stand-up evening to raise money for Cancer Research.

A writer and radio presenter for BBC Radio Leeds, he is no stranger to the stage after performing as a young man.

Ahad said: "I've always been involved in amateur dramatics, performed in school plays at St Anne's in Keighley when I was a little boy and at Bingley Little Theatre when I finished uni and came back to Keighley.

“Going on stage as myself and trying to make people laugh though, that's a very different prospect."

Ahad signed up to take part in a stand-up gig at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday, June 3.

He said: "Like most people, I have been touched by cancer and lots friends to the disease, so anything I can do to raise money for Cancer Research I am happy to do.

“I've also been a lifelong fan of comedy and have always wondered how I would fare if I tried my hand at stand up. My mum tells me that I used to do Tommy Cooper impressions in my grandad's pub, The Vine in Keighley, when I was a toddler."

The show, which is a sell-out, will feature 20 other people making their stand-up debut, following an eight week course with professional comedian Jim Bayes.

Ahad said performing on stage was very different to presenting his radio programme Little Nick's Big Show, which is broadcast on BBC Radio Leeds on Saturdays from 9am.

He said: "People who have been very generous in sponsoring me have told me that as I perform in front of an audience of thousands on the radio every week I should be used to it, but you can't see the audience when you're on the radio.

“I just hope when I see the whites of the audience's eyes I remember my set."

Visit justgiving.com/nickahad to donate to Cancer Research.

Ahad has written several plays in recent years, his most recent The Chef Show – part comedy play, part cookery demonstration – touring the country this spring

The Chef Show took audiences behind the scenes on a busy Saturday night in the local curry house, where they were able to taste the food and share conversation with the chef and cast.

Ahad last year wrote Partition, a play about the 70th anniversary of the division of India and the creation of Pakistan, for performance at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and on BBC Radio Leeds.