It was his partner abandoning him for the bright lights of LA which inspired Julian Clary’s current tour, which is coming to Brighton as part of an extended spring tour.

“Initially he went for six months, but he ended up staying 18 months,” says Clary. “So I thought, ‘I’ll show you!’”

His partner is back now but the show remains, as Clary selects a new life-partner from up to eight potential candidates.

“The show is like an open audition,” he says. “I have a cattle pen with a white picket fence and a prod so I can herd them into it.

“The eventual winner has a gay ‘marriage’ with me, conducted by a ‘bishop’.”

With David Cameron currently involved in a war with his backbenchers over the gay marriage issue, the topic is certainly current.

“We finish with a song Cool To Be Queer,” says Clary, adding that a video is now on YouTube.

“It’s a serious song about gay marriage and persecution around the world. I dared myself to do it and I’m very glad I did. People have told me they find it very moving.”

The tour follows Clary exploring other worlds, including winning Celebrity Big Brother last year, and continuing his second career as a novelist.

“It is an addictive thing,” he says. “Getting a laugh is very good for my soul and for my ego.

“I genuinely look forward to it after nine months at home writing a book. I could never just write books – I need to go out and feel the love.

“I often think how difficult an actor’s life must be – you sit around waiting for someone to invite you to say someone else’s words. But stand-up is your own universe.

“Stand-up is just being yourself in an exaggerated form.

“You’re making yourself feel good, as well as everyone else – it’s a win-win situation.”

Interview: James Rampton

Words: Duncan Hall