Jim Davidson underlined he is one of Britain’s great stand-up comedians on Wednesday.

People either love or hate some of his crude material but this audience clearly idolised a true master of mirth and gave him a loud standing ovation.

They had laughed their heads off at his quick-fire wit - including ‘bad taste’ jokes about fat birds, black men and their private parts. The outrageous banter, none of which was malicious, was all delivered with impeccable timing.

Amid the hilarity Jim told how he had turned the worst year of his life into a huge success by winning Celebrity Big Brother by the largest margin ever.

He revealed the story behind his arrest as part of Operation Yewtree investigations into alleged sex offences against women, the nightmare 12 months that followed and the clearing of his name.

Jim spilled the beans about the frustrations – and pleasures – he experienced in the Big Brother house, including his clashes with Linda Nolan.

He also had digs at fellow comedians Ben Elton, Lenny Henry and Ade Edmondson, but was full of praise for rapper Dappy, Freddie Starr and Falklands War hero Simon Weston.

And his impressions of Dappy and Jethro were hilarious.