Daniel Radcliffe tests his comedic skills

British actor Daniel Radcliffe made his stand-up comedy début during an appearance on US TV show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Monday.

The Harry Potter star admitted he is full of praise for comedians, as he has always been "completely fearful" of taking to the stage for a one-man show.

He explains, "I've always admired stand-ups, I've always loved stand-ups and I've always been completely fearful of doing anything like that. I told loads of horrendous jokes."

Fallon urged Radcliffe to show off his comedy skills on the show and he agreed, but told the audience, "You're obliged to laugh!"

Admitting he stole his joke from British funnyman Peter Kay, Radcliffe was ushered off the stage so he could make his entrance as 'Danny Radcliffe'.

Spurred on by the audience's applause, he asked, "How do you kill a circus?" before declaring, "Go for the juggler!"

- AAP