SALISBURY teenager Andrew White is taking his first ever stand up comedy show around the South Coast for six months before making his Edinburgh's Fringe Festival debut in August.

And he has chosen none other than his dad to be his warm-up act for the shows.

Andrew, 17, who is a full-time student at Bishop Wordsworth School in Salisbury is also studying hard for his A Levels in the hope of gaining a place at Cambridge University.

He told the Daily Echo: " I would love to go to Cambridge to study History and join the famous Footlights as well! It'll be a dream come true if I get through these next two years with good grades. After that, comedy and writing is the career I'd love. Arts and entertainment is my passion."

Andrew's show, entitled 'It Was Funnier in my Head', was previewed at Studio Theatre in November, to an almost full house and was very well received.

The first leg of the tour in Fordingbridge is now on sale for Friday January 27 at The Victoria Rooms. Other dates and venues, yet to be announced include Bournemouth, Hastings, Fareham, and two nights in Salisbury.

Talking about the show Andrew says: "It takes a look at life as a parent dependent teenager, covering everything from passing out in PE to the bane of elderly neighbours, and from accepting baldness to travelling in China. I'll even be introduced and warmed up by very own dad!"

Andrew was just 15 when he started his comedy journey two years ago at a youth open mic in Salisbury.

" I started out with hardly any originality or style and just went out and told one-liners and puns. The woman running the mic, Flo, was in comedy and helped me work out my own style and material. I worked towards, over the last two years a more professional act which I'm very proud of now. I like to write a lot, so poetry kind of slotted in perfectly to my act."

Despite his Dad, Marc White, being his support act Andrew is not following in his footsteps but quite the opposite:

"Oddly, my Dad was actually inspired to do comedy by me! He had always been tempted and once took a course, and after I started he took to doing bits here and there alongside me.

"My biggest influences have been from other comedians and hearing them talk about writing material, going into the business etc. On a personal level Flo and Jonathan the Jester, (an Amesbury-based comedian, youth worker, and entertainer) have helped me hone my act hugely."

Certainly the future is looking bright for Andrew who apart from the tour has booked 20-40 minute slots at several charity gigs and compilation shows. He will also be on Hope FM on February 1 in the studio talking and joking with the host and another guest.

All dates on the Tour will now be Pay What You Want! Reserve a seat for free entry, and pay what you feel the night was worth on the way out!

More information on Andrew's Facebook page:

www.Facebook.com/StandUpAW