Last updated 11:37, Thursday, 22 May 2008

HE doesn’t sound much like a comedian – a former professional wrestler with a pink mohican, matching eye shadow and nail varnish....

Repeat offender: Comedian Wil Hodgson with his ‘annoying’ hair

And Care Bears, big women and West country rednecks are just a few of the topics for award-winning Wil Hodgson.

He headlines tomorrow night’s Don’t Mention The Floods show at The Brickyard as a Carlisle Arts Festival special.

He has collected Care Bears since he was five and is now something of an expert: “Particularly the plastic poseable ones more than the plush ones,” he explained.

“Care Bear Cousins are really difficult to find these days especially Treatheart Pig, Proudheart Cat and Loyalheart Dog which despite being depicted on the backs of the packets are rumoured to have never been on sale having never made it past the prototype stage.”

He admits he was teased at school for his collection – and the attention has not gone away.

“I used to get stick at school for all kinds of stuff, and at college and university and in the street – Care Bears are just the tip of the iceberg.

“I’m overweight, I’ve got pink hair, I wear nail polish, I have tattoos, I live in the small Wiltshire market town of Chippenham, so I get a lot of attention.”

He has ditched the mohican for a number three suedehead, but it is still pink.

“The mohican took too long to stand up. Pink is my favourite colour and probably the one colour a man can dye his hair and still annoy people,” he deadpans.

Despite his appearance and the controversial collection of childhood toys, Wil insists his style is not confrontational.

Now 29, he won the Perrier Award Best Newcomer in 2004 at Edinburgh and this year will see his fifth appearance at the Festival.

He is busy scripting a new show and in the meantime, working hard on the comedy circuit.

Tomorrow night’s gig is his debut in Carlisle and follows one night stand-ups in Northampton, Birmingham and Sheffield.

“I finally get to go out on Saturday, when I get back to Chippenham and can go out for a few pints with my mates,” he says on the slow train north.

“I have no idea what Carlisle is like, it is my first time and I will just take it as it comes.”

Also on the bill tomorrow night is one of the UK’s foremost comedy writers, James Sherwood.

He writes for radio shows across the BBC, including The Now Show, The News Quiz and BBC7’s new topical comedy sketch show, Tilt. Tickets £6/£4.