IT'S a case of art imitating life for Jason Manford.

The celebrated comedian, presenter and actor, who plays Caractacus Potts in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, believes the role is as close as it comes to his real life persona.

"He's a Dad of children around the age of my children and he's got a job that's a bit odd. I find there are a lot of similarities!," Jason tells me, while taking a break from rehearsals in Leeds.

"His name is close to crackpot and I don't think that's a coincidence!

"It's a great part to play and I'm really loving being a part of it all. It's about a family who are going through a difficult time. They've lost their wife and Mum and this car kind of brings them together. This show has really got a heart.

"Of course I've watched the film and gone back to source and taken what I think will work from it. It's scary as it's such an iconic film, but I don't think anyone has really made the part iconic on the stage.

"With some of my previous roles they had and then you have that shadow hanging over you, but I don't think this is quite like that.

"In Sweeney Todd, I played a big opera singing Italian barber and then in The Producers I played a weak Jewish American accountant. They couldn't be more different to me, but Caractacus Potts is a bit more like it.

"Mind you, he's a big more energetic than me. I spend a lot of the time in pain! I was just looking up masseurs on my phone as I'm aching so much.

"It's been a hardcore start to the New Year. Everyone else is getting over their hangover and I'm doing Me Ol' Bamboo! Mind you, Caractacus doesn't really get the dance. He's struggling to keep up and I think I'll be able to nail that!"

The father of five is best known as a stand up comedian, as well as appearing as a panellist on TV shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats.

Jason's presenting credits have included Comedy Rocks, The One Show, Show Me the Funny and A Question of Sport: Super Saturday and he's become a regular name on the musical theatre stage.

But he was keen to involve his family this time around.

"I was trying to find something my kids could actually see me in. A lot of things I do they can't see and, being in something like this, they can really be a part of the whole process.

"They'll come to see the show of course and they've seen me rehearsing in the garden. I have a plank of wood that I have been tap dancing on!"

The 34-year-old is a big fan of Mayflower Theatre, where Chitty opens its UK tour next week, and even has his own comedy club in Southampton, Manford's Comedy Club at The Stage Door nearby.

"I've always had a great time when I've been on tour in Southampton. The theatre really feels part of the city and people who go there regularly consider it their theatre. I really respect that. These days, that's what theatres need. You can't get by hoping a show will do well, you need a dedicated audience.

"The club is going well as well. We have great months and not so great months. People should know that when they turn up, they will be guaranteed a great night.

"No one is booked that I haven't seen. There are so many brilliant young comics in this country and we put on four every month. To be honest, there are so many great acts, we can pick and choose."

So what does the funnyman, who learned his trade in the small clubs of Manchester, put the current comedy renaissance down to?

"When the country is in a bit of turmoil, I think we sort of turn to it. Comedy does well in a time of crisis when there's not much else to laugh at.

There's that and the success of Live at the Apollo and acts like Michael McIntyre.

"I'm now at a stage in my career where I could pull the ladder up behind me, but I've left it down and I'm trying to help other comics. Some of them are wonderful and really funny, but they just need a bit of help."

His latest stand up tour First World Problems was a stand out success.

"I know I've mixed it up a bit, but stand up is the thing I love the most. It's just me. There's no lines to learn, no-one waiting for me to say something in the right order and no director. There's no-one telling me that went well or that didn't go well. You can tell from the audience. And there's no Ofcom!"

With that in mind, you won't be surprised to hear that Jason is planning another solo stand up tour in 2017.

But, for now, it's all about a flying car.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is at Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday until Sunday February 21.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk