It's not an easy job interviewing Australia's most shocking comedian Jim Jeffries for a family newspaper.

Described by Q Magazine as: "The UK's most offensive comedian," the fast-rising funnyman's biog boasts that "Jim succeeds with the jokes other comics wouldn't touch."

And it's not just an act.

Jim IS the beery enfant terrible he portrays. When I call, he's sprawled on the sofa with a mate, watching the Olympics on telly and leering graphically over an Australian lady hurdler who's just won silver.

He says: "Good on ya, sweetheart! Look at her jumping around, she's all right, she's good. I don't like abs on a girl. You know, it's the game we play all day. We're avid Olympians.

"And she's just some girl who came second. I like that because she'd be needy because she hasn't won the gold. The other one with the gold, she'd be all up herself, wouldn't she?

"The girl who won silver I reckon I could get because I'd go, 'Uh, you didn't do too well, did you? Learn to settle, sweetheart!'"

Since Jeffries left his birthplace of Perth, Australia – after a degree in theatre studies which included opera singing and tap dancing – and settled in London, he's been using his potty-mouthed brand of humour to make a name for himself.

Among other things, he flirted outrageously with – and was rejected by – newsreader Moira Stewart on Have I Got News For You and was one of E4's The Most Annoying People of 2007. He hosted the American NME Awards where he insulted Sienna Miller and had a scrap with Kelly Osborne who spat at him after he said sarcastically: "I think she'd be famous even if her dad weren't famous – she's just that good.'"

But he's wowed the Edinburgh Festival every year, with his last show, 30, selling out throughout the UK.

He has a reason to remember Preston though – last time he played here, he ended up in a four-year relationship. He says: "She went to Preston University and we dated for almost four years and broke up about a year ago.

"I played the university there, that's where I met her. It was the last time I played Preston. I think I've been there to watch a football match once too."

So at least you remember us? "It's got bad memories now. It ended awfully. Let's not speak about it."

Maybe he's still on the lookout for love in Preston. He enquires, charmingly: "So are you a good sort? Are you a good sort by British standards or Preston standards? Because I'm a good-looking woman by Preston standards!"

Ask what brought him to Britain and he's got no doubts. He barks: "Best comedy clubs in the world! You've got to go where the work is and plus I've fallen in love with the place. What's good about it? Jeez, what a miserable (expletive deleted) you are! England's lovely!

"The rolling hills and the beautiful M1 and the reasonable council tax and the TV licence, what is not to like about England? The fantastic food, what wouldn't I like about England, what are you talking about? You're talking a load of rubbish! Why England? The answer's in the question!"

Does he not miss the Australian sun? "Who wants to live in sunshine when you look like me? In England, I look like a regular person. In Australia, I'm a big fat git and I'm not attractive. Women over here see me as ordinary and I've been trying to get ordinary my whole life.

"I've come to be average. All my friends in Australia are like surfees and stuff – and I find waking up hard enough!"

His latest show, Hammered, has just garnered rave reviews at Edinburgh for its typical Jeffries no-holds-barred humour.

Does he have any romance in him? "Depends what you call romantic. I'm spontaneous but I'm not a rose petals on the bed sort of guy but I might whisk you away for a weekend at short notice.

"I might fly you out to America to come and see me for a couple of days or something like that. So, if you think flying someone out to America almost like a high-class hooker is romantic, then yes, I am!

"My flatmate just came in, shook his head and walked out again. What have I done now?"

* Jim Jeffries plays Preston Guild Hall Foyer on Saturday, September 6. Tickets, priced at £14.50, available from the box office on 01772 258858.