INTERVIEW By Hilary Porter

JASPER Carrott’s Stand Up And Rock show rolls into Southampton Guildhall on Sunday ( Sept 6) and does what it says on the tin!

He also plays Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight tonight.

The comedy legend is back with mic in hand regaling the audience with his inimitable stand up routines before introducing his musical compatriots that have been ‘rockin’ audiences all over the world.

They include Bev Bevan, who apart from being Jasper’s mate has rock star credentials from the Move through ELO.

And also joining them is Rockin’ Berries lead singer Geoff Turton, celtic rock band Quills lead singer ‘Joy’ and the Bev Bevan band comprising some of the country’s finest musicians.

Jasper, who recently turned 70, is thrilled to be back on tour – after a lengthy break!

“We toured last year and before that the last big tour was 1998: it’s gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Last year I did about 55- 60 shows and it just keeps going...We get a fantastic reaction – every night we get a standing ovation; we would get 100 per cent standing ovation if they could all stand ...it’s quite a ‘mature’ audience.”

Jasper admits to not having been confident about returning to stand-up.

“I wasn’t too sure how it would go. I thought people will come out of curiosity just to see if I can walk!

“On stage we have a ball. We love working together, although it was a bit of a shock working with musicians – they are a peculiar breed. I take the Mickey out of them a lot. On my past stand up tours I just had a sound crew and a tour manager but on stage it’s lonely and there is no one else to blame.”

So why had he stopped doing the stand-up tours?

“I did them until the early 2000’s but then I got bored and decided to take a couple of years off, but that two years became 14 years!”

There were other things to keep him busy, Jasper reminds me, such as the TV sit-com All About Me and also the TV game show Golden Balls.

“I’d always been interested in doing different things.”

Asked if it was scary going back on stage Jasper tells me: “No not at all! I was arrogantly confident. I only had a few shows and I’ve got all this experience; it was like falling off a log!

"I was a bit apprehensive at the start but after a couple of shows it was like I’d never been away. I do an hour each night – I use to do two hours, so it’s a different experience.

"With two hours you have to take them up and down. When you have two half hours you can sock them between the eyes.

"You can only laugh out loud for about 20 minutes – then it starts to hurt. That’s why all the references in comedy are to do with pain such as ‘side-splitting’ ...perhaps I should be doing Fifty Shades of Grey!

“I don’t believe I have ever worked better in my life. I don’t know why- it’s sublime confidence.

“The show has songs from the 70’s – and jokes from the 50’s. It’s like born again comedian!” he laughs.

“I’ve written quite a lot of new material for this tour, but I do bring up some old stuff.”

He is in no hurry to return to TV and adds: “I’m just soaking up the edges of my career. I’m not playing big venues – just 1,500 maximum. It’s eye ball to eye ball with the audience. I’m doing it out of fun and having a great time: none of us need the money.”

Jasper turned 70 this year and says the celebrating went on for days.

“70 is the new 40 – unless you’re a traffic cop!” he laughs.

“I don’t feel 70- it’s ridiculous. I feel 40...it’s a bit of a jolt. Rather than look at what life you’ve had you start to look at what life you’ve got left!

It’s a great life. I’ve been married for 43 years and have four children and six grandchildren. The performing is the cherry on the cake! “

* Jasper Carrott is at Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight tonight. Please contact the venue to confirm event and admission details before travelling. Phone: 01983 862739

*He plays Southampton 02 Guildhall on Sunday. For tickets call: 023 8063 2601

For Group Bookings please call: 023 8083 3612