Michael McIntyre defends his non offensive routines

Michael McIntyre hit back over accusations of being bland - but said life would be "boring" if every comedian performed his brand of material.

The 33-year-old came under fire from the likes of Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, who have criticised the younger generation of comics for stale routines, while others praised his performances for their inoffensive "middle class" nature and lack of bad language.

"I don't go out of my way not to offend people," he told the Radio Times. "I swear in some jokes. I've got a joke about Michael Jackson where I talk about the irony of him dying just at the time when swine flu has brought masks and gloves into fashion."

The comic said his material may have been more edgy if he had had a more difficult upbringing.
He said: "I do material on everyday stuff. That's all I have to talk about - eating, travel, cars.

"If I'd had a more troubled upbringing, maybe I'd do more edgy material, but all that happened was some people came round for pasta, so I talk about pasta. Lots of people have that life. You can't criticise people for that."

McIntyre, who has three nominations at this year's British Comedy Awards, said there was room for a variety of comedians.

"If all comics did the kind of material I do, it would be pretty boring," he argued. "You need me and you need Jimmy Carr and you need Frankie Boyle.

"I really don't do anything except have these excitable moments and say them all in a row.

"I'm just talking about my own life and what I find makes me laugh and some people gravitate towards it and some people don't."

He added: "I've been doing that for years and I'm just lucky that right now people are excited to see me."