He who dares wins is the usual phrase, but in the case of reluctant comedian Gerry K it was a case of who is dared wins.

For Essex boy Gerry K only got up on the stage in the first place after being dared by a friend and colleague to have a go at an open mic spot.

And although he did not win on the night, his effort was good enough to secure a paid gig at the venue and launch and unlikely career in stand-up comedy.

Within months there was no looking back as Gerry K scooped a hat-trick of top comic honours by winning the Comedy Store’s prestigious King Gong prize along with the Metrolife Comedy Newcomer and The Comedy Café’s Best Newcomer awards.

Seven years later and at the tender age of 42 Gerry is fast becoming one of the most talked about comics in the business and is breaking some taboos on the way.

Real name Gerry Kyei (pronounced “Chay”), father-of-four Gerry was born in the East End, but grew up in rural Essex as a rare black face in an almost totally white ­and very parochial area – a million miles away from the traditional Essex stereotype towns like Harlow, Basildon, Romford and Southend.

And comedian Gerry K brings his experiences and unique take on English country life to the stage in an act that is anecdotal, observational and refreshingly honest.

As the man himself says: “It’s all about me. I start from the very beginning, being a black kid growing up in a white town near Colchester. It’s all very tongue in cheek. I move on to families, the wife and kids, and then talk about observational and topical stuff.”

And it’s clearly proving popular as, after a few years on the undercards of the comedy circuit, Gerry K is now appearing on the top of the bill and is much in demand with punters, fellow performers and the big bad world of corporate events.

A regular face at Comedy Clubs around Britain – and even in Switzerland – Gerry K has also appeared at such famous venues as the King’s Head, Islington, The Bearcat and the Comedy Store.

As an actor he has appeared on The Bill and Angelo’s, both ITV, enjoyed a supporting role on a cameo on Jimmy Carr's Xmas DVD and even hosted the football forum with former England international and I’m A Celebrity bad boy Rodney Marsh and legendary Sky host Jeff Stelling for Zoo Magazine.

An energetic and likeable personality, with a sure-fire life-enjoying smile that would warm the coldest of nights, Gerry K is a favourite of the Comedy Club and a member of the growing Comic Voice stable of comics that are proving that success with a smile is even sweeter.

As Gerry says: “I love nothing better than - just for a little while, anyway - being at the centre of people’s worlds and making them laugh. It’s a lovely feeling.”