My favourite comic is ...

Stand-up Adam Hills explains why he rates Steve Hughes's show, At War With Satan:

Comedians are a notoriously cynical bunch. They tend to watch other comics with an evil eye - analysing their material, smiling occasionally, and generally wishing they were the ones on stage. The comedians at Steve Hughes's opening night were in genuine fits of laughter, as were the rest of the audience.

At War With Satan is one of the best put-together hours of comedy you'll see at the Fringe this year. It begins with an introduction to Steve Hughes - his formative years in Australia as a non-sporting, heavy metal drummer, his move to England and his thoughts on British life - all acutely observed and cutting bone-deep.

Steve then delves into gutsier territory - racism, terrorism, homophobia - with an honesty and openness rarely seen among comics. His insights are spot-on, his opinions are intelligent and his jokes are top class.

It is Steve's view on spirituality, however, that really stands out. Far from being preachy, he delves into the ideals of equality and tolerance - "less third world, more third eye" - while admitting he doesn't actually have the bottle to become a Buddhist, because it's too much hard work.

That's the beauty of At War With Satan; it combines thoughtful, sometimes provocative stand-up comedy with a quiet line in self-deprecation.

Steve Hughes may well be the saviour of the planet as we know it, or he may be a chain-smoking, beer-drinking, plain-talking Aussie in a hut at the Pleasance. The two aren't mutually exclusive. He is, however, very, very funny.

As we left the hut, American comic Paul Provenza turned to me and said: "You just know he's talking about stuff that really matters to him." More than that, Hughes is talking about stuff that really matters to us all.