JACK Dee secured his place in the nation's hearts by being something of a misery-guts. He was a seething ball of resentment for whom no target was beyond reach, the anti-hero whose appeal was broad enough to win Celebrity Big Brother, and all coated with a deadpan stare. He was the diner who complains about the service, but only when the waiter is out of earshot. It's made him one of our most popular stand-ups - witness the ecstatic reception when he walked on stage at York's Grand Opera House - but, although there are still flashes of it at times, the fire seems not to be raging quite so fiercely now.

Maybe it's because he's mellowed, but the first half of his act takes aim at some very familiar victims: B&Q, hotel soap, and those culled from a primer on local knowledge which must be handed out to every touring comedian. It's only towards the end of the half that the miserabilism starts to shine through and the material comes alive. Punters were invited to text Jack in the interval, providing an opportunity to come out with an encore of one-liners, which proved the best part of the show, although anyone familiar with his act will recognise many of these 'texts'.

Dee's dry wit is more effective in the second half, and even though he's always more likely to raise a chuckle than a giggle, there's no doubt that his many fans go home happy. It's not that he's not funny - he's still one of the best around - it's just that he seems somehow tamer than before, and his act loses out as a result. But then it would be harsh to wish for more misery in his life.

Published: 12/04/2005