Despite just "massively cutting himself shaving", Lee Mack is on buoyant form.

And why he shouldn't he be? With a BAFTA award already to his name for ITV's The Sketch Show, he has just recently finished recording a US version co-produced by Kelsey Grammar - he of Cheers and Frasier fame.

Lee was the only one from the original line up of five to be picked for the American pilot, something he refuses to be guilt-tripped over.

"I worked with the others for two years and it's weird now that they've been replaced by Americans," he say. "But it's not like they haven't got work, I probably would feel bad about it then."

So how was it working with one of America's best-known comedy actors, especially one infamous for his hedonistic lifestyle?

Lee is reluctant to be pulled into a conspiratorial chat but does concede that Kelsey has lead a "pretty mental full-on life" adding, "he's a great bloke, he's been there and done it so he's got nothing else to prove".

Although, overall, the experience was enjoyable for Lee he admits to being "pretty gutted" when he found out that filming would be taking place in Teddington, where the original series was recorded, instead of Tinseltown.

"I just lied and told my friends that Kelsey came to me which obviously wasn't true but I wanted to appear more Hollywood," says Lee.

He is also secretly pleased to be back working with "bad-teethed Brits", saying, "It was strange but every American I worked with had perfect teeth."

Much has been written about Lee's old-fashioned approach to comedy, something he makes only half-hearted attempts to shrug off.

"I have had comments before saying my shows were reminiscent of older-style comics "It's not deliberate and I don't even think I do it that often maybe people just make assumptions because my favourite comedian is Eric Morecambe.

"Okay then, maybe there is some truth in it. I should just stop being so narcissistic and reading about myself."

Nevertheless Lee's fascination with mainstream comedy is something which sets him apart from his contemporaries. He is an unapologetic supporter of the much maligned British sitcom saying, with not a hint of irony that: "The Office is brilliant but to write something for the masses like My Family is also a skill and one that's underated."

In fact, Lee is so determined to attack the class system he believes operates in television - where style is valued more than content - that he has written and will star in his own sitcom, due to be aired next month on the BBC.

"It's based around me just being a bit of a dreamer - and a pain in the backside. There's no regularity, just half hour snapshots of a life, sometimes it could be really mundane."

He's realistic enough to know he'll have his work cut out convincing a sceptical British audience that home-grown sitcoms can be as funny as successful American imports, such as Friends.

But Lee seems to love a challenge and has even gone as far as recording a variety show revival on Radio Two.

"I know variety is unfashionable but it has guest musicians, like Midge Ure and Tony Hadley doing spoof interviews," he says. "I think that's pretty surreal in itself."

Starts 8.30pm, tickets cost £10/£8. Call 01273 647100.