Robert Kelly gave up drugs and alcohol, only to get hooked on food.

That fact isn’t lost on the highly-rated comedian, whose loathing of “skinny people” is now part of his routine, despite having lost more than 70lbs this year.

“I hate [them],” he told The Royal Gazette. “It must be nice to be able to tie your shoes without having to hold your breath.”

The American comic is one of several high-profile entertainers performing as part of Just for Laughs Bermuda next month.

“A food addiction doesn’t get the same hype as other addictions,” he said. “That’s because you never bash a little old lady over the head for Ring Dings.”

Although some might consider his humour a little raw, he sees it more as an honest take on life.

“To a lot of people the truth comes out a bit angry,” he said. “Honesty is what makes people relate to what you are saying. One of the best compliments I get is when someone comes up after a show and tells me the same thing happened to them or someone they know.”

Mr Kelly has performed across the US and appeared on comedy specials on HBO.

He entered an improv competition while an art student and got hooked on comedy from the first moment audience members laughed at his jokes.

“There is nothing like making people laugh,” he said. “I think comedy saved a lot of children [from having me as an art teacher].”

The New York resident is looking forward to the trip here.

“I have never been to Bermuda,” he said. “I heard it is beautiful. I am bringing my wife and son and we are very excited.”

He’s currently working in his next goal — his own television show.

“I am shooting an hour-long special this year,” he said. “I don’t know where it would air. First you shoot it then you sell it.”

He and a friend run an online network, riotcast.com, that features podcasts by such comedians as Nick Di Paolo, Bailey Jay and Jim Florentine. Mr Kelly regularly appears in a podcast of his own, ‘You Know What Dude’.

“There are no topics,” he said. “It is just comics hanging out and being funny. Sometimes it is serious and sometimes it gets heated.”

Just for Laughs kicks off at 8pm on January 8 with Double Bill! Alonzo Bodden, Robert Kelly and Jonathan Young at the Earl Cameron Theatre, City Hall. Tickets are $45 with reserved seating. Gala shows will be held at the Fairmont Southampton Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre featuring host Alonzo Bodden, Robert Kelly, Wil Syvince, Steve Patterson and Jonathan Young on January 9 at 8pm with reserved cabaret seating at $87; January 10 at 8.30pm and January 11 at 7pm and 10pm. Tickets for those shoes are $77 or $87 with reserved seating. Tickets are available at www.bdatix.bm, Sportseller and Fabulous Fashions. Tickets are also available by phone on 232-2255, however there is a $3 surcharge per ticket. For more information, visit www.hahaha.com, www.comedyevent.bm or call 232-8499.

Visit Mr Kelly’s official website: www.robertkellylive.com.