INTERVIEW By Hilary Porter

JIM Davidson is celebrating four decades in show business with a brand new stage show that visits Southampton 02 Guildhall on Tuesday November 8.

Written and developed by Jim, who lives in Stockbridge, he has promised never-before-heard stories about the "highs, lows and controversies of a unique life spent in the public eye".

Called 40 Years On this is a heartfelt and hilarious autobiographical reflection on his legendary career.

Funny, poignant and at times searingly honest, the show looks back at Jim’s triumphs and tragedies, from his breakthrough on New Faces in 1976, through to winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2014.

The Daily Echo caught up with Jim yesterday who was suffering with a bout of food poisoning but was determined to be back on stage in Dorset last night.

He said; “The piece is an honest and raw reflection of my life over the last 40 years both in the spotlight and personally. Much of my life has been lived out with the nation watching, so what better way to set the record straight and hear the stories but from my perspective and it in my own words.

"I've done six shows so far and it's changed quite a lot already. It's quite difficult technically with all the light and sound etc. It's a cross between Alan Bennet Talking Heads and a stand-up show. It's more dramatic than anything I have ever done before - it's much more than just a guy with a microphone."

Asked if it feels like 40 years Jim responds:

"It **** feels like it today! Today it feels like I've been sitting on the loo for 35 years of them. Showbiz personalities shouldn't have to worry about things like this!!"

Jim has been top tabloid press material over the years and the 'lows' that have been lived out through the red top headlines seem to have outweighed the 'highs', from the drinking, the five marriages through to the long and painful investigation by Operation Yew Tree.

The comedian was arrested by detectives from Operation Yewtree, which was set up after the Jimmy Savile scandal - although his arrest was not linked to the late DJ.

It was almost a year later that he was told he would face no further action over alleged sexual offences.

Jim tells me: "I think a lot of the lows were generated by the press. It was everything from 'Jim upset someone on the front row' to 'Jim is done for drink-driving' - it's not really newsworthy. I'm still the same guy- the same lunatic, today but the press don't print anything and people say 'have you changed your ways?'. Ha, it seems I can do what I want now!"

Is it liberating to be out of the press?

"I try not to think about it. I talk about all the things that have gone wrong and gone right and they always seem to balance each other out. My life has been lived out in the public eye but everyone has their ups and downs."

I remind Jim his personal life has particularly interested the papers - he is on his fifth marriage after all. He is quick to respond: "So far!" but he has to admit he and Michelle have been together 14 years now.

The highs and lows have been extreme though and he says the 'greatest high' is the time he spent with the SAS and " all the stuff" he has done with the troops. The obvious low was Operation Yew Tree.

Our interview is cut short as Jim has to dash off to the loo again with the words: "The tour is now sponsored by Imodium!"

For the record the achievements of Jim Davidson OBE have been plentiful. One of Britain’s top stand-up comedians, he has hosted prime time family TV shows including The Generation Game and Big Break. He has topped the bill in many theatres in London’s West End and across the UK. As a film actor he has starred alongside John Malkovich in Colour Me Kubrick.

Jim founded the British Forces Foundation in 2000 and his unrivalled work with British Service Personnel has included five visits to the Falkland Islands and countless engagements across the world entertaining British troops. He was awarded an OBE for his services to charity in 2001 and has coveted Showbusiness Personality of The Year Awards from the Variety Club of Britain.

Jim founded Hampshire charity Care After Combat with Simon Weston. A UK based charity; Care After Combat provides professional assistance for the well-being of the Veteran and their family.

40 Years On is at 02 Guildhall Southampton on Tuesday November 8.

Box Office: 023 8063 2601 or o2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk