ON first impressions, you would think Simon Evans would be at home doing the Daily Mail crossword on a train to Surbiton.

And on second impressions, you would probably think the same.

Evans appears to be the quintessential ‘Middle England’ gentleman. He comes across as well-educated, well-spoken and has charm to spare.

He is at his most content walking his pedigree dog along the South Downs.

His anecdotes are sprinkled with wry observations. There aren’t too many stand-up comedians who would do virtually a second-half set on the subject of dogs.

The intimate atmosphere of The Studio at Lighthouse on Saturday night was ideal for Evans’ dry, subtle humour. It was almost like being at a particularly engaging dinner party.

Evans’ subject matter veered from glasses, organic food, to tattoos and obesity.

He even made time to mention one of his heroes, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

If you want punchy, fast-paced one-liners, then Evans is not your man.

But if you want intelligent, considered observational humour with a very English twist, he most certainly is.

Evans is pure gold and that should make him a national treasure.