If there's two things we Brits love it's an underdog and an eccentric.

On that basis, it's no wonder John Otway has proved to be such a losing success. For 25 years he was known as a one-hit wonder, his hit being Cor Baby That's Really Free. Then last year as the successful conclusion to his 50th birthday plan (he wanted a second hit as a present), he went top ten again.

This second hit - Bunsen Burner - was chosen by his fans from a selection on an 11-track CD. It was generally considered that Otway himself was pretty clueless when it came to picking a potential hit. Consequently the Electoral Reform Society were drafted in to conduct a ballot.

The track was inspired by John's daughter's science homework and produced by Barry Upton. Barry, who had written and produce 5678 for Steps, sent Otway an e-mail offering to help Otway with his plan saying, "just knocked Kylie Minogue off the number one album spot, want a hand with the Hit!" John was so confident at the single's success that he booked The London Palladium for the night the chart was announced.

Following John's first hit success and a record contract complete with hefty cheque, he went on a mammoth spending spree and released a run of consecutive flops. He then wrote his autobiography documenting his spectacular decline. Cor Baby That's Really Me (Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure) was self-effacing, humorous and ironically saw John prove to be a success.

He was great at being a failure and his live shows began to sell out. In the BBC poll for the nation's favourite song Otway made a surprise entry at number seven with an old B-side, Beware Of The Flowers Cause I'm Sure They're Going To Get You Yeh.

The fall and rise of John Otway continues.

May 8, Tower Arts Centre, Winchester. Performance: 8pm Tickets: £9 (concessions £8) Box office: 01962 867986. He is also playing The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth on Saturday, May 10.