Which Sue Perkins are you here to see tonight? asks Ms P at the beginning of her new touring show – and it’s a fair question. We’ve all got our own ideas on who she is, whether it’s part of the Bake-Off team, or on Taskmaster, or presenter of Just a Minute. For me, none of those apply; my impressions of Sue Perkins are still anchored to the good old days of Light/Late Lunch, and I remain truly impressed with her conducting skills in Maestro. Of course, many of Sue’s broadcasting adventures are tied up with her partnership with Mel Giedroyc, and there are plenty of funny references to how many people can’t tell them apart.

However, The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins is exclusively about Sue and her exploits. Specifically, those exploits that have caused her shame – not all of which are her fault. This isn’t a typical stand-up comedy show; it’s more of An Evening with Sue Perkins where she responds to a few well-planned questions from which she can bounce off into some entertaining anecdotes. But she asks the questions of herself; think Parkinson without Parkinson. It’s a very effective structure because she’s a terrific raconteur who seemingly has no fear about presenting herself in her truest light, warts and all.

Informally dressed – until the final moment – she strikes up an easy rapport with the audience, instantly adopting a let’s all be friends together vibe, which nevertheless doesn’t detract from her genuinely commanding presence on stage. It’s a strangely powerful mix of self-deprecation and vulnerability with a super-confident delivery. She’s one of those performers who like to keep moving on stage; not as freely maniacally as some, but purposefully choreographed – which she attributes to the fact that she has a benign brain tumour.

The tumour plays quite a big part in the show actually, as it’s the source of a number of those shame moments that are beyond her control, sending her down some mental alleyways that are truly ghastly, but which Ms P manages to twist into very funny stories. There are some instances of shame that are completely her fault, however; none more so than her account of an injured stray dog (Sue Perkins clearly loves dogs) that she met in Bolivia and whom she rescued from certain death (hurrah!) – but at what cost? She also tells us of three encounters with shamans (three? Surely one is enough!) with – shall we say – varying levels of success.

The perils of a brief visit to Cornwall, the effects of having your phone hacked, cloned number plates and the residual value of collectable Wedgwood items, it’s all here. Sue Perkins’ comedy speciality is to go in-depth in lengthy detail on a fewer number of subjects rather than touching lightly on several topics. The show positively drips with honesty, and you come away from it with a much stronger insight into the woman behind the name. It’s also – of course – very funny! Sue Perkins is touring her Eternal Shame around the country until April – just make sure you’re not expecting to see Mel.