THEY may not be as big as Morecambe and Wise - yet - but Southampton comedy duo Ben Richards and Jon Nicholas are already building up a reputation for their celebrity collaborations.

The former Southampton Institute students are hoping to hit the big-time with their sketch show, Up the Fan, which stars the likes of Nicolas Parsons, Tony Blackburn, Jane Asher and Brian Conley and is now being shown by Southampton TV.

Ben, 26, from Shirley, and 28-year-old Jon, of Lymington, made six half-hour shows last year with the help of a £5,000 grant from the Princes Trust.

Southampton TV is screening the show on Monday evenings, and Ben and Jon are currently committing more of their surreal antics to video.

"The money from the Prince's Trust allowed us to buy a digital camera and other equipment and put together our own little production company," says Ben.

Ben and Jon are determined to make their names in comedy and have been funding Up the Fan themselves. They have also had to rely on the generosity of friends, associates - and celebrities - in order to realise their dreams.

"A lot of people help us out, such as a former flatmate, Patrick Hunter, who has provided the music. Other people have helped us out for free with the camerawork and acting - it gives them a bit of experience," explains Ben.

The persuasive duo have talked several big names into helping them out for free.

"If a celebrity is making an appearance somewhere in the south and it's not too inconvenient for them, we have a chat and see if they'll be up for making an appearance in the show.

"We just send them a script and ask them to say a few lines."

Up the Fan is not the double act's first TV exposure. Ben and Jon - who cite the likes of Spike Milligan and Monty Python as their biggest influences - have also been featured on the late-night Prezzie Show on ITV and E4's Takeover TV, presented by cult comedy act Adam and Joe.

"Southampton TV will be a bit of a platform for us," says Ben.

"Hopefully then the BBC or somebody might give us a pilot show."

See Up the Fan on Southampton TV on Monday at 7.30pm.