Some people were just born to do a job, and for rising stand-up star Adam Hess, it was to make people laugh.

The one-line specialist from Purley is through to the semi-finals of the national Laftas competition, to be held on November 15, and is slowly building an impressive CV as he makes strides into the cut-throat industry of comedy.

He said: “In the same way as some boys can’t remember when they began wanting to be a footballer, I have always wanted to be a stand-up. It is the best thing, to make people laugh.”

The 22-year-old, who is living in Brighton having finished studying Economics at Sussex University, has already collected student comedian of the year in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards and is hoping to make the final of the Laftas held at Tattershall Castle on December 6.

He said: “Winning the Laftas would be fantastic – it is always good to win, but also a lot of people won’t really look at you until you have award-winning next to your name. It is so competitive.”

Given just a five-minute slot at the heats held in Brighton on October 31, Hess wowed the audience, progressing ahead of nine rival funnymen.

He said: “I think my style does suit these short slots. It is always better to have time to develop a rapport with the audience, but telling short jokes it is easier to get into your stride.”

Despite living in Sussex, Hess is keen to return to play his home town, though admits he would find it nerve-racking.

He said: “I always get a bit of stag fright, I think that actually helps to make it a bit more real. I’d love to perform in Croydon but performing with all my school friends staring at me would be really tough.”

To find out about Hess’s latest gigs follow him on Twitter @adamhess1