Frankie Boyle to appear at free Dalkeith Library show

HE is known as one of the country’s most offensive comedians owing to his controversial sense of humour.

But Frankie Boyle is to make an unexpected deviation from his usual routine next month – by promoting libraries across the Lothians.

The stand-up, and former Mock the Week panellist, will swap the bright lights of concert arenas and television studios for Dalkeith Library.

Featuring alongside his good friend and fellow comedian Miles Jupp – best known for his role as Archie from the children’s programme Balamory – Boyle has agreed to highlight national Love Your Library Day on February 4.

“He won’t be out to cause any trouble, he just wants to help libraries,” Miles told the Evening News.

The surprise pairing came about by chance when Jupp’s older brother, Ed – a library assistant in Midlothian – was asked by management to approach his brother to see if he would help promote the event.

He agreed – and within less than an hour, so had Boyle.

Ed, who is based in Loanhead, said: “Miles said he was up for it and he said he thought Frankie would be, too. So, I e-mailed him and within an hour he replied to say he was.

“I’ve known Frankie for around a decade myself.”

Miles – who has appeared on Have I Got News For You and in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as a TV weatherman – introduced his brother to the Capital when he was a student at Edinburgh University.

He was already a friend of Boyle’s as they were both starting out on the comedy scene.

Ed has since made the Lothians his home and is looking forward to welcoming the pair back to their roots for the library event, where they have both promised to behave.

Miles said: “We know it’s an afternoon event with families there. Frankie is actually a very ‘booky’ person and he reads a lot. He takes books very seriously.”

Ed added: “Frankie does have a sense of occasion and he is actually an astute and clever individual. He’s sometimes taken out of context.”

Boyle, originally from Coatbridge, and Miles will give readings from books they have both written, as well as interviewing each other and inviting questions from the audience.

Other free events to mark Love Your Library Day will also take place across the rest of the Lothians, including a concert at Penicuik Library featuring two up-and-coming bands, The Last Battle and Matt Norris and the Moon, who won a competition to perform as the support to Primal Scream at the Capital’s Hogmanay celebrations.

Celebrated Edinburgh crime writer Tony Black will appear at Mayfield Library

But it is the appearance of Boyle which is likely to raise eyebrows as he has been widely criticised over the years for his controversial jokes.

Councillor Peter Boyes, who is responsible for libraries across Midlothian, said the comedian would be most welcome. He said: “I’d like to thank both Frankie and Miles for their support – I’m sure they’ll have the audience in stitches.”