Birmingham NIA hosts US funnyman for a live arena show

American comedian Kevin Hart has become one of the world's best-loved funnymen, after thrilling audiences around the globe with his hilarious stand-up routines,

In 2009, Hart's one-hour comedy special I'm a Grown Little Man on Comedy Central was one of the highest rated specials for the network, catapulting him to the top of his game.

The comedy actor is bringing his stand-up routine to the UK and will play Birmingham's NIA on Thursday.

The Philadelphia-born actor has appeared in numerous films including Meet the Fockers Sequel aka Little Fockers and Death at a Funeral, as well as Fool's Gold and The 40 Year Old Virgin.

Other film credits include Soul Plane opposite Tom Arnold, Method Man and Snoop Dogg, Not Easily Broken, Extreme Movie, Drillbit Taylor, Epic Movie, The Last Stand, Scary Movie 4, In the Mix, Meet Dave and Superhero Movie.

Fans at his Birmingham show can expect near-the-knuckle tales of adversity. One of his recent routines centre on his father's cocaine addiction.

"When you first hear it, you're like: 'What? Your dad was on drugs? That's crazy.' It's not that bad. I'm going to tell you why."

Hart said there were many advantages to his father's habit claiming "there's no such thing as a bad idea to a cokehead."

However, there were also downsides including "when your dad shows up stoned to a spelling bee and roots for it like a sporting competition."

Hart added that he had enjoyed increased success as his comedy became more confessional and revealing.

"Once you tap into that, is when your career takes off."

Hart's film, Laugh at My Pain, was released last September and grossed more than 7.7 million US dollars – having been made on a budget of about 700,000 US dollars.

He added that he felt the need to be candid about his life when he performed: "Because of what I do, it has to be an open book," he said.

"But right now this is a book that is still being written." Hart honed his act in the clubs of Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles, where he had been signed to a six-figure television-network talent deal.

"It's never specifically about my family," he said. "It's about my life within the crazy realm that I grew up in, O.K.? I'm speaking about my family, but I'm talking about my reaction to what I've seen."

"My dad said, 'I was supposed to be on drugs,'. "I was like, 'Dad, shut up,' but then I thought about it, and it was stupid but it made sense.

"He was saying that, basically, he was my example to never go down that road."

Kevin Hart plays Birmingham's NIA on September 13 and tickets are available, priced £27.50 to £42.50, at www.thenia.co.uk or by calling 0844 338 8000.