ONE of Britain’s most celebrated comic entertainers is back on the road.

Last seen in Southampton taking the starring role in Barnum at the Mayflower, the irrepressible Brian Conley, is taking his brand new variety show Alive and Dangerous around the UK.

The most local dates are: Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on Friday February 19; Portsmouth New Theatre Royal on Friday March 25 and Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight on Saturday March 26.

The show will see him perform new comedy, sketches and songs alongside some of his best-known and loved retrospective material from the screen and stage.

Brian told me: "It's a pot-pourri of entertainment!", adding, "it's as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!"

"It's a big variety show with singing and comedy. We have big screens showing video clips . It's a good laugh and a fun night. And it's my own show so I can do what I want!"

The 54-year-old entertainer is particularly excited about having a free rein to do what he wants in this show.

He recalled:

"Barnum was a very demanding show. I was locked into the script and couldn't ad-lib - this is a lot more fun!

There's something about when people pay to see Barnum they pay to see the show, but with this they pay to see me - which is a wonderful honour. "

Brian ended his year-long run in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s Barnum tour last September. He had spent six months preparing for the role too, attending circus school and learning everything from juggling, acrobatics and fire-eating to walking the tight-rope.

In the middle of the tour he even managed to star in pantomime alongside Gok Wan in a magical production of Cinderella at the Mayflower.

The Barnum tour caused him to dramatically lose two stone in weight and he said the tight rope walking had forced him to use muscles he had never used before. He even broke a finger and sprained his ankle as the show doesn't use crash mats but still soldiered on.

"They say life is all about learning new skills and I never, ever in a million years thought – now in my 50’s, that I could learn to walk the high wire: It is one of the most challenging shows," he said.

The dad of two has hardly been putting his feet up since the tour ended. He was back playing one of his favourite characters, Buttons, together with Lesley Joseph as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella over the Christmas period.

And, after presenting BBC One’s brand-new programme, TV That Made Me, last summer, which journeyed through the world of television with guests including Sandi Toksvig, Linford Christie and Gok Wan, he has been filming a second series too.

"It's all or nothing in our game," says Brian who adds: "But the tour is not full-on. I have weekends at home . I get three days a week off as I want to enjoy it! I don't want everything to become too back-to-back as I want to have fun. In my time off I enjoy being dad . Amy is 18 and Lucy is 13. We like going out to see shows and see friends. Amy is at Regents university. We are very proud of her."

As for Barnum possibly going into the West End with Brian back in the lead role, he says:

"Barnum isn't dead and buried and I might go back to that later this year. I don't like marking it all out though. There has been talk of Barnum going into the West End. It could go but you never know in our game. Anything can happen. The phone can ring and the next month you are dressed as a big fat woman in Hairspray! Playing Edna Turnblad was something I never thought I would do and then suddenly there I was."

Brian debuted in musical theatre with the lead role in Me and My Girl, before going on to cement his reputation with the Olivier Award-winning Jolson. He went on to win a TMA Award for Best Musical Performance for his role in the What’s On Stage Award-winning Music Man; star in the acclaimed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and in the Olivier Award-winning Hairspray; and play Fagin in Oliver!

Brian has recorded three albums (one with the London Philharmonic Orchestra), starred in multiple films, was invited to be the ‘special guest’ on Bob Hope’s last world tour and has appeared in over twenty of the UK’s biggest pantomime productions.

Asked what his favourite thing has been in his impressive 40-plus year career he is quick to reply:

"My favourite thing is live performing. I'm an entertainer. I enjoy panto and the freedom and the topicality of it and using all my strengths and the comedy and pathos of it. We are already talking about what we are doing next year."

As for his future ambitions Brian is quite clear on that too:

"I would love to play Mrs Trunchball in Matilda...another woman part! I've seen the show a couple of times - it's very funny; very comedic. I also love the show The Book of Mormon. But Miss Trunchball is just very funny - a lovely part. It reminded me of The Grimleys [ITV sitcom also starring Slade's Noddy Holder and Amanda Holden] when I played the sadistic P.E. teacher- and she is very sadistic!"

Brain says he can't imagine ever doing anything else or retiring.

"Fortunately variety is still going strong. We still have TV shows like Strictly, The X Factor and Saturday Night Takeaway and we have the Royal Variety Show once a year - they are all good variety shows.

I'm an entertainer. I was born to entertain. I've never had a proper job and you only stop once the phone stops ringing."