Stand up comic Doc Brown has discovered that often being a parent is no joke.

But comedian Doc – who is the brother of award-winning novelist Zadie Smith – manages to see the funny side of the trials and joys of bringing up two young children for his new show The Weird Way Round, which is coming to Harpenden in April.

“It’s the next chapter of my story,“ explains the 36-year-old. “I’m just kind of saying where I’m at in terms of trying to be a dad, trying to move on with my life.“

As dad to children aged six and nine, parenthood finds its way into most aspects of the Hackney-resident’s work, and he has even penned a children’s book which is due out in March 2016.

He explains: “To have a full responsibility for another human being is like nothing you’ve felt before.“

As a young boy growing up in Willesden, north west London, Doc became immersed in the underground rap scene and kick-started his career as a battle rapper.

From 2003 to 2005 he hosted a monthly event at his friend’s record shop, Real Deal, on Carnaby Street.

“It was a coming together of people who loved music; people who had no understanding of how to make money from their talent, so they just did it for fun,“ says Doc, who is currently busy preparing to film Life on the Road, a spoof rock documentary featuring Ricky Gervais’ character from The Office, David Brent.

“We think of the people we had performing there for free: the Black Eyed Peas, Amy Winehouse, Dizzee Rascal, Professor Green, Estelle, Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West, Cee Lo Green. Those were special days.“

And working with the late Amy Winehouse – both at Fabric nightclub in London and at Bestival on the Isle of Wight in 2006 – is a major highlight of Doc’s career; an experience he describes as “incredible“.

A decade after the rapper gave up a career in music to start performing comedy he is back in the recording studio. Although he has no plan to release anything just yet, he is enjoying getting back to his roots.

“It felt incredible and the new stuff is amazing,“ says Doc – whose real name is Ben Bailey Smith.

Doc, named after the inventor from 1980s film Back to the Future by friends because he was “a bit of a nerd at school“, went into comedy following a chance phone call from a friend he had worked with at Radio One. This led to acting credits in Miranda, Law & Order and The Inbetweeners.

“I think we were born to be story tellers,“ muses Doc, whose brothers and sisters are all creative – perhaps most famously Zadie, for her award-winning novel White Teeth.

Of his sister’s fame, he says: “What it tells you is your ideas can travel the world if you want them to, if you really believe in them. You can connect with millions of people in a positive way, if you want to – it’s up to you.”

The Weird Way Round, Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, Thursday, April 9, 8pm. Details: 01582 767525, harpendenpublichalls.co.uk