When Rob Brydon starts singing at shows around Australia next year, the Welsh actor and comedian expects to encounter some cynicism.

“Whenever a comedian picks up a guitar – with a few notable exceptions – it’s very tempting for an audience to raise their eyebrows and sort of say, ‘We know what you do. You’re a funny guy, let’s just keep doing that,’” the Glamorgan-born 57-year-old tells AFR Weekend from his home in London’s Strawberry Hill.