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From the bistro bar of Newcastle's Tyne Theatre, where he performed his very first hometown gig – Ross Noble explores Geordie comedy past and present.

Featuring a candid interview with Sarah Millican, an exploration of happiness with Jason Cook and a trip back in time to the humour of old with Percy Douglas and Bobby Thompson.

Self-deprecating, quick witted and warm, there's much to be said for Geordie humour that sets it apart from the comedy in the rest of the British Isles. Newcastle is a city of almost pathological friendliness - no-one takes themselves too seriously and everyone is as quick to poke fun at themselves as at others. Whether you put it down to the cheeriness of the accent or the egalitarian mentality of your average Novocastrian, there's no denying Geordies want people to enjoy themselves as much as they do, and that true homespun North Eastern humour has its tongue placed firmly in its cheek.

Multi-award winning Cramlington born stand up comic Ross Noble is one of British comedy's biggest household names – a TV and radio regular, with numerous sell-out stage shows.

The carefully selected archive includes:

* Ross Noble On....
* Jason Cook, Gavin Webster and Kai Humphries, MacAulay & Co at the Edinburgh Fringe
* The Geordie Game
* Knitted Trunks, Woman's Hour
* Sarah Millican, Funny Friends
* Ant and Dec, Desert Island Discs
* Jason Cook and Chris Ramsey, Jason Cook's Happiness HQ
* Fireside Tales
* Percy Douglas, Wot Cheor Geordie
* Bobby Thompson, Turns of the Century
* Jesting About

Producer: Anna Miles

Made for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland