WHEN business studies student Stephen Watson needed to come up with an event for his course, he had the perfect idea – a comedy night.

He managed to persuade Westcliff funnyman Russell Kane to headline his first Laughing Pod event, and the night has flourished ever since, with names including Kane’s wife Sadie Hasler and winner of the prestigious Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Festival last year, Roisin Conaty.

Tomorrow the second year South Essex College student, 26, of Grange Park Drive, Leigh, will welcome stand-up Imran Yusuf take the headline slot at his latest show.

Explaining how the idea for a comedy night first came about, Stephen says: “We had to plan an event for our business management course and I decided instead of doing the normal thing most people do I’d do something a bit unusual and throw a comedy night.

“I managed to get Russell Kane and after that I got the buzz for it, hearing everyone clapping and happy.”

Stephen says he hopes word-of-mouth will be key to his success as the night continues to draw in an audience as well as top comedy names.

He says: “It’s the best way of advertising. Whenever I have acts that come down to the Pod I try and look after them and treat them like I would like to be treated.

“As long as they’re looked after I hope they’ll talk to other comedians on the circuit and say the Laughing Pod’s a good place to do an act, so go and do a gig there.”

Stephen is looking forward to Yusuf’s visit for an extra special reason – he was due to welcome stand-up Francesca Martinez known from her work on Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s hit show Extras.

Unfortunately she had to pull out for last-minute personal reasons on Tuesday night, putting Stephen on the spot in his newfound career.

His skills as a comedy events organisor were tested, but he managed to find an act in Yusuf, who’s more than capable of filling her boots.

The stand-up, originally from Kenya, has been going down a storm with critics and his profile is high after stints on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and recieving a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival, both last year.

“To be honest, I’m ecstatic about having him,” says Stephen. “The guy is getting a hell of a lot of exposure. He’s due to appear on Jason Manford’s Comedy Rocks in the next few weeks. To get someone with that much publicity at the moment is perfect for me.

“He’s performing his show that’s going to be touring the country. He’s coming down to do a full 50-minute set.”

Yusuf will be joined on the bill by Rob Beckett, Jay Foreman and Jen Brister as well as compere Christian Steel. Stephen says he always aims to vary the bill so there’s something for everyone, though he’s keen to keep resident compere Christian as a constant.

“I hope by doing that I will attract lots of different personalities,” says Stephen. “If people don’t think one’s funny there’s another one who’ll make them laugh – although hopefully they’ll be laughing all night.

“Compere Christian is absolutely brilliant, and having him sort of gives people a bit of identity .”

Stephen has big plans for when he graduates from college – he’s got his eye on Southend’s New Empire Theatre and reckons he could make the mothballed building a success as a comedy club.

He says: “I’d like to go into comedy management on a full-time basis after I leave, I’d still like to carry on with a Southend comedy club.”

l The comedy night is open to all.

Imran Yusuf Laughing Pod Comedy Club, South Essex College, Luker Road, Southend.

£10, Tomorrow.

Doors open6.30pm.

%01702 477924.

www.thelaughingpod.com