Emerging from the stand-up comedy scene in the early 80s, Arthur Smith has long established himself as one of Britain’s unique performers. His wry, offbeat and acutely observational style as a comedian has seen him excel as a radio and television presenter, television quiz show guest, playwright, loveable grumpy old man, one of those comforting voices you sometimes hear during a radio or television advertisement break, and in his unofficial civic role as the ‘Mayor of Balham.’

For Arthur, his career as a performer really began at his south London primary school. It’s a recollection he’s rather fond off. "Yes, when I was nine, a teacher said we were going to do a production of Peter Pan at the school. So I went home and in one night wrote Peter Pan by myself. The next day the teacher said my script was ‘unperformable’ but I could have any part I liked." He recalls triumphantly. "I thought about this and went for Captain Hook as I didn’t want to be namby-pamby Peter Pan. I remember coming on stage with a coat hanger up my sleeve to terrorise the school. But, instead, everybody burst out laughing and I was intoxicated by the sound of laugher. So, in some ways, that was the start of it." He pauses for breath, before continuing pensively. "I was always the funny kid at school who also wrote the school reviews. Then, from university I did stuff at the Edinburgh Festival and then stand-up comedy. My first gig was probably in the Comedy Store in about 1981 and I rather died on my arse actually. I didn’t do very well and it put me off for six months. But I returned and slowly got the hang of it and now I’m a multi-billionaire with homes in Rome, Paris, Balham and Bromley!"

So, years on from his daring performance as a nine-year-old Peter Pan, which comedians influenced his approach to comedy? At this point Arthur pauses, squints through the light, puts down his sushi snack plate and reveals all. "In some ways I was influenced by Max Miller. He was the biggest stand-up comedian in the 1940s and he’d come on stage with check outfits and rattle off gags. I did an impersonation of him in a show not so long ago and it suddenly occurred to me that I’ve stolen or found some inspiration from him. Especially in the speed of his delivery and the cheeky chappy persona. Although, I’m not that cheeky because I’m a bit grumpier than that. Then there were the Monty Python people and Spike Milligan. Another big influence was probably John Dowie. He was the first person I saw who was genuine in what he said. He obviously meant it."

Smith is clearly a comedian who has thought a lot about this art and it comes across vividly when he talks about starting out. "You just have to find your voice in every department. I notice when people start off in comedy they’re a little like another comedian who is well-known. But then, eventually, you kind of find your own style and voice. You’ve just got to do loads of gigs and every open spot you can get. It’s all very well trying it out in front of a mirror but it’s an audience that counts."

After an eventful career as a stand-up comedian, comedy club host, experienced one man show review specialist, voice-over artist, playwright (An Evening With Gary Lineker and My Summer With Des) and now TV and radio personality – with appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Grumpy Old Men – who is the real Arthur Smith?

"Well, I’m a gentleman amateur you might say. I’m a man who deals in words in various different guises. Clearly, in some sense, I seek attention. It would be disingenuous to deny that, but I have no real desire to be very famous. I do hang out with comedians a bit and I meet a lot of well-known people, but I wouldn’t say they were my friends particularly. Anyway, the tabloid newspapers aren’t interested in me because I’m just not sexy enough!"

He may not consider himself to be a tabloid favourite but he’s certainly achieved fame, even if it is for being notoriously grumpy. "I can get grumpy because I find many things in the modern world irritating – like anyone of my age. But I don’t think we’re really all that grumpy. If that were true we’d all be manic depressives and not much entertainment. But that programme did capture the zeitgeist because there are a lot of people grumbling out there as I’ve discovered. Some people come up to me and say, ‘Ere, I’m grumpy too!’ I think other just want me to say something withering or be rude to them. Some say, ‘I’m a great admirer of your work.’ Other times you get people who say, ‘I thought you were rubbish last night.’ I also get a lot of people who like to talk about my Radio 4 work and I’m always pleased to meet them."

Born in south London and now resident in Balham for over 20 years, Arthur has always had a special affinity with the area and it’s something he’s always keen to mention – especially in the company of his slightly more hip and trendy north London comedy cousins. "I lived in South Wimbledon for a few years and then I moved to Balham in 1984. If you live in the perfect place, why bother to move? I also find it a pain in the arse to move. I like living in an inner city suburb and I was brought up in one. It’s close to town but in its own little world too. I like all the commons within easy reach like Wandsworth, Tooting and Clapham. I’m a great fan of Chez Bruce in Belle Vue Road and I hang out on all the cafes in Balham High Road. I like Wandsworth Common, Battersea Park is marvellous, and I love the pagoda because it seems like such an odd thing to have in the park. I’m also a great fan of Nugents the newsagents in Balham. The two lads in there have been around Balham as long as I have!

"I like the unpretentiousness of Wandsworth. Wandsworth is cooler than Islington but we don’t like to boast about it. We’re a little classier than that! Lots of comedians have lived in Wandsworth over the years. Tommy Trinder used to live in Wandsworth. The Crazy Gang – who were a famous review troupe during the war – most of them lived around Wandsworth. Jack Dee lives in Wandsworth, Jeremy Hardy used to live around here, Alistair McGowan, Roni Acona and Dave Cohen also lived in the area. I think comedians should live in south London. The more self-important types can live in north London."

Smith is also the self-proclaimed ‘Mayor of Balham’, though unlike our current candidates he didn’t go courting any votes. "I simply announced it one night! I’ve also met a few Wandsworth mayors and I’ve found that while they come and go, I’m always here. So what does the future hold for Balham’s officially unofficial mayor? "Well, I’ll be forever playing at the Hackney Empire. I played the Hackney Empire the night Mrs Thatcher resigned and the night Tony Blair resigned. I’m writing my autobiography and I’m also trying to get into modelling. I’m tall, I’m slim, so what’s the problem? I think I’m going to have a word with my agent!"