Omid Djalili talks about his Hollywood career and the Rolling Stones ahead of his forthcoming Stevenage show

Having already performed two dates at The Alban Arena in St Albans last week, Omid Djalili will return to Hertfordshire in the New Year with his Schmuck for a Night show.

The award-winning comedian and actor will be appearing at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage on Sunday, January 29, 2017.

Of the tour, Omid said: “I like the word ‘schmuck’. It means ‘fool’ or buffoon. You have to be a schmuck to do comedy in today’s climate.

“I’m embracing the schmuck in me to take on the big issues of our day.”

Away from stand-up, Omid has an impressive acting CV and has worked with Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt, Robert Redford, Johnny Depp, Mike Myers and Sarah Jessica Parker.

As for his favourite co-star, he said: “That’s a tough one… I’d say, and anyone who’s worked with him as an actor would agree, Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones, was probably the most extraordinary.

“He played the father of Captain Jack Sparrow [Johnny Depp] in Pirates of the Caribbean 3.

“His character shoots and kills my character for no reason. This seemed to bother him.

“In fact, he shot me about 14 times and after each take he’d come up to me and say, ‘listen, you do know I don’t mean this?’ After every take.

“It was almost like a joke but it wasn’t. Bang! And he’d shuffle up and say, ‘nothing personal mate, I hope you realise’.

“Then after another take, with the same sincerity and intensity, ‘it’s all acting. You know that. You’re not upset with me, are you?’ Once he shot me and just said, ‘forgive them Lord, they know not what they do.’”

• To buy tickets for shows at the Gordon Craig Theatre, call the box office on 01438 363200 or visit the Gordon Craig Theatre website at www.gordon-craig.co.uk