Dave Hughes defends urinating in glass backstage after shocking claim by comedian Melanie Bracewell: 'It's only happened four times!'

A Melbourne-based comedian has accused Dave Hughes of performing a gross act at comedy clubs.

Melanie Bracewell, 31, took to TikTok on Sunday to claim Hughes, 55, urinated in her drinking glass ahead of one his stand-up comedy performances.

'By the way, the first time we met he peed in one of my glasses I use for stage because he couldn't go out to the bathroom,' Melanie began.

She then claimed the shock incident was not a one-off occasion.

'He does this regularly and wait staff have to clean it up.'

Hughes confirmed to Daily Mail that Melanie's claims were true, but admitted he did it to avoid a nasty on-stage accident.

'I've done it maybe four times in my life before solo shows when the backstage had no toilet... I didn't want to wet myself onstage,' he began.

'Absolutely never when anyone else was around, that would be terrible! I certainly don't look for glasses to pee in as a way to pass time.'

Hughes added that other comedians had previously 'roasted' him about it and he wasn't aware that they took the matter so seriously.

'Peter Helliar had a go at me about it once and I think Mel was in the same venue. I asked her to come on my radio show and roast me about it, she did, we all laughed a lot,' he said.

'I had no idea she was so aghast, she did a great job in joining in on the group ridicule of me, and then we gave her tour and TV show a big plug. I don't want to feud with another comic over things we laughed about.'

He finished by saying this behaviour had even negatively impacted his wider reputation within the comedy community.

'What if no one ever invited me anywhere anymore because they think I'm gonna wee in their finest glassware. I promise I won't. And that's a real promise, not an Albo promise, I won't change my position,' he said. 

It comes after Melanie became frustrated when Hughes sent her a political manifesto on her 31st birthday.

Instead of showing off heartfelt birthday messages from friends and fans, the New Zealand comedian gave followers a glimpse at an unexpected direct message from Hughes that quickly stole the spotlight.

The Cheap Seats host celebrated turning 31 on Sunday by sharing a smiling selfie alongside the caption: '31 today. Thanks for all the messages!'

But swiping to the second slide revealed a very different kind of birthday greeting.

Melanie posted a screenshot of a private Instagram message from Hughes, who launched straight into a passionate rant about politics rather than offering birthday wishes.

'Please tell me you at least read the above,' Hughes wrote.

'The corruption by Labor Govts in Victoria and Federally is sending the country completely broke. That's my focus in politics.

'I'm sick of politicians thinking they can control the public to believe they are helping the disadvantaged while really just getting stinking rich themselves through outright thievery.'

However, Melanie had little interest in diving into the debate while celebrating another trip around the sun.

'It's my birthday Hughesy - I'm not reading all this,' she replied.

The exchange comes after she recently poked fun at Hughes' outspoken views on politics and property. 

Last week she joked on social media about the comedian's reported investment portfolio, quipping: 'You gotta feel for Hughesy, he's living from his tenants' paycheck to tenants' paycheck,' before adding: 'For legal purposes this is a joke.'

Hughes has become increasingly vocal in recent months with his criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor government, regularly posting videos and commentary about tax reforms, negative gearing and the state of the Australian economy.

The comedian has also shrugged off being the butt of jokes from fellow comics, including Dave Thornton, insisting he doesn't mind the ribbing.

Speaking recently, Hughes said he had received strong public support for speaking out, claiming many Australians had thanked him both online and in person for voicing their frustrations.