COMEDIAN, actor, singer, chat show host ... Brian Conley has been honing his craft as one of our greatest entertainers for over 40 years.

But his latest lavish production Barnum involved six months of challenging circus training before he could take it on a year-long tour.

Now the hugely anticipated show rolls into Southampton on Tuesday June 9 and runs until Saturday June 20 with Brian in the guise of Phineas T Barnum.

He has been with the show since last August - apart from the break he took to star is Southampton's pantomime Cinderella last Christmas.

"It's a great big spectacular and I'm really enjoying it. It's a wonderful role and a huge honour to do it for Cameron Mackintosh, "he said.

For those unfamiliar, Brian explains what Barnum is all about: “It's a true story. He’s a real character and in his day he was known as one of the most famous men in America, more famous than the president.

"He was the first man to create advertising really, in the way we know it now, so, you know, he's to blame!

"He was the first entrepreneur; the first Richard Branson; the first spin doctor. He was a wonderful showman - it was his idea to have the three ring circus; he went into politics; he had an affair; lost millions; got millions.

"£It's a fantastic story with a circus background, lots of colour, lots of high comedy, and some cracking songs, some of the best songs, I think, in musical theatre.”

Amazingly this was the first show the entertainer ever saw in London, many years ago when Michael Crawford starred in it.

It would be impossible to play Barnum without learning circus skills.

“I’ve had to learn a whole new set of skills: juggling, acrobatics, fire- eating – and tightrope walking which was quite a feat for someone who only ever use to walk his dogs.”

But Brian stresses this is not the Barnum Crawford did for he has had a big hand in writing in a bigger comedy element.

“This is a brand new production. I think it tells the story better and where there’s comedy it’s quite high comedy – because I wrote it! “ Brian would even go as far as saying this is the pinnacle of his career.

“I’m so happy I’m in something successful.

"If I was put in a role where I was plodding around the country on something that wasn’t I would be struggling but it’s such a beautiful show and the whole team works so hard to make it very special and I think it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done.

"It is one of the most challenging roles.

"It's got pathos, comedy, singing, acting and circus and you are the driving force - you are the glue that holds it all together- and its a wordy narrative too.

“Barnum will eventually go into town. Will I be with it? Oh God yes. I will be with it right to the end – I love it.

"I’ve waited 20 years to find another show that takes people to where Jolson did and Barnum has done that so I am really delighted”

So why does it have that magical quality?

“Because Cameron Macintosh’s done it and he’s not doing it for the money.

"The guy’s a billionaire. He owns nine theatres in London and he is doing it to prove a point. My opening costume has cost £10,000, you know, there's not a penny skimped.

"It's not about the money so much, it's about making sure everything is right and that's why it's so exciting. It's a big show with a company of 28 and 11 piece orchestra .

“It’s a magical show. Everyone thinks it’s a circus show but it’s a love story too."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Brian describes how walking the high wire becomes symbolic of Barnum’s personal life: he has to walk the wire to reach the lady he loves at the end.

“Since we started I’ve lost a stone in weight. I do feel fitter because it’s not like losing weight on a diet. I feel it’s all about the tight rope wire. You use muscles you have never used before and you use a part of your foot you have never used.”

"There have been some nasty injuries and there are no crash mats.

“I broke a finger and I seriously sprained my ankle and for the first two weeks of rehearsals I was on crutches because I fell eight foot and I fell in between the crash mats.

"We all thought I’d broken my ankle and we’d have to postpone the tour but have just had to wear an ankle support.

"But 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."