Reflecting a colourful and varied professional résumé that’s included bouncer, Bollywood choreographer, musical theatre performer, cyber security consultant and latterly, comedian, Emmanuel Sonubi’s show Curriculum Vitae earned him his second successive Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination at this year’s Fringe. And whatever television exposure may follow, after a mere three years as a full-time stand-up, he reckons that he’s a live comic to his bones.

‘It’s quite a profound moment when you realise this isn’t just what you do, it’s who you are,’ he says. ‘I don’t think I could do anything else now. I did well in all of those jobs. But being nominated, it was the first time in my entire life that I’ve ever been considered one of the best. To be held in such high regard for something that you really love is amazing.’

Unlike most comedians, Sonubi’s theatre background ensures that he doesn’t find performing for three and a half weeks at the Fringe an endurance test, ‘because I’ve done two years of someone else’s show that I don’t really care about. So to do my own show, which I do care about, for a month, is a joy. I could have done another week at the Fringe.’

Returning to Edinburgh to host Ho-Ho-Hogmanay at the Assembly Rooms, as part of a line-up that also features Susie McCabe, Fred MacAulay and Larry Dean, he is also, similarly, unfazed by festive comedy gigs’ reputation for drunken rowdiness and an attritional battle of wills with the crowd. ‘A gig is just a gig,’ he states baldly. ‘If I let these things get into my head and start overthinking it, it’ll change the way I perform. You’re liable to beat yourself up before you begin.’

Worth observing is that the 6’3” former amateur rugby player, raised in a household with five older sisters, is also built like the proverbial brick shithouse. And, while it’s exceptionally rare for him to be heckled, he brings a doorman and seasoned compere’s experience to interruptions, defusing them and incorporating them into the show.

Even so, on his UK tour, kicking off properly in April, Sonubi welcomes the unpredictability that audience interaction can bring. ‘I’ve allowed a lot of it to be out of my control, let go of the reins a little,’ he says. ‘I ask a few open questions that I’ve no idea how they’re going to react to and that can really change the concept. I really like that.’

A dash of perspective also helps. Four years ago he was on stage in Dubai when he suffered heart failure and was rushed to hospital. ‘It’s made me more carefree,’ he suggests. ‘My biggest fear as a comedian was dying on stage. And then I almost did it: literally. After that, people not laughing is the least of my problems.’

All of which makes it rather surprising to hear that Sonubi still suffers nerves as a performer. ‘Every show, until about five minutes from the end,’ he confirms. ‘But they’re healthy because they keep me sharp. Even if I’m doing a club night, I’ll watch the whole show if I’m closing. I watch the audience, I watch the other acts to see what people are responding to. Are there any idiots in the room that want to be talkative? Do I need to shut them down quickly? You’re playing this mental chess of how you’re potentially going to react. And if something does happen, you’re happy about it because you’ve completely prepared.’

Emmanuel Sonubi hosts Ho-Ho Hogmanay, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, Friday 29 December, and goes on tour with Curriculum Vitae, Wednesday 10 April–Sunday 2 June.