You would think having an audience member stab you with a broken glass might just put you off a career in comedy, but not Thornton Heath's very own funny man Ola The Comedian, writes Graham Moody.

Last year, a disgruntled punter took a bit of a disliking to the 23-year-old former Trinity School pupil and decided to take action into his own hands by exacting a little revenge, not that it deterred Ola.

"I did a joke which is all based around a line which if someone laughs at I point at them and say he knows what I'm talking about," says Ola.

"I didn't really see who I pointed at but this guy thought from then on that everything was directed at him and that everyone was laughing at him - which they weren't, only that one joke was about him.

"Him and his friend waited for me afterwards and wanted me to go outside but when I wouldn't and turned my back they smashed a bottle over me and stabbed me in the arm.

"Oddly, I wasn't scared and felt very calm and peaceful.

"My friends still laugh at me because I just turned to the guy and said 'God is still good' and walked off."

Ola makes his second appearance at the newly renamed Clocktower Arts Centre next Thursday, when he hosts the latest Upfront Comedy night, organised by former Tellytubby John Simmit and also starring Curtis Walker, Gareth Berliner and Maverick.

Having been into rapping at school Ola fell in love with making people laugh at university.

"I decided then to give it a go," says the Laughing Horse new act of the year 2008 semi-finalist.

"I went into my first gig in 2006 not really worried because I thought I was already funny but looking back I didn't really realise what I was doing until it was finished - I only wrote my script on the journey there.

"I don't do that any more, I am a bit more professional now."

Upfront Comedy Club, Clocktower Arts Centre, Katharine Street, October 7, 8pm, £9.50. Call 020 8253 1030 or visit croydonclocktower.org.uk.

Graham Moody