IT WAS familiar territory for Jeremy Hardy when he returned to his old university campus for a sell-out evening of comedy.

Nothing was off-limits as the comedian well known for his Socialist views attacked the coalition government, had a go at religion and focused on the futility of war.

The audience was comprised largely of his more mature fans and he admitted he feared the worst whenever there was a cold snap and worried that many of his fans would be wiped out.

The affection from the audience for this clever comedian was palpable as he dissected the Tory and Lib Dem pact with chilling precision.

At the end of the first half, he admitted he was concerned about his liberal use of the “F word” – and then went a step further with an even worse swear word. Cheeky, irreverent but always thought-provoking, Jeremy Hardy is well on his way to becoming a national treasure.