A COMEDIAN from Poole has been performing stand up to help overcome his battle with anxiety and depression.

Lee Smith, 42, had his first stand up gig a year ago and he has gone from strength to strength since. 

He is now joining a full line-up of comedians for a special edition of Carl’s Comedy Club at The Barrington Centre in Ferndown on Saturday, September 17.

After years of silently suffering with undiagnosed anxiety and depression, Lee underwent grief counselling following a family tragedy six years ago, and was able to finally address his anxiety and depression.

Since the grief counselling, Lee changed his whole outlook on life, and has surprised everyone by taking to the stage and using his struggles with anxiety as a source for stand-up comedy routines.

Lee said: "My anxiety has stopped me from doing a lot in my life. Now I know more about it, I try not to let it stop me doing things anymore, but it’s still a challenge.’

"A lot of my stand-up is about my anxiety, I think lots of people can relate to how it feels."

"For a day or so before I do a gig, I worry about it because that’s how my brain works; it tells me I’m not funny, and the material I’ve prepared isn’t funny.

"A couple of hours before I go on stage, my anxiety peaks and then, once I get on stage it’s usually fine, it just melts away."

Tickets to the stand up event are available via https://barringtoncentre.co.uk/events