Like many people Barry Cryer cites Eric Morecambe as his comedy hero. But what fans of Eric and Ernie may not realise is that Barry Cryer was responsible for many of their best jokes.

In fact the TV and radio star wrote for many of the top names of comedy, including Bruce Forsyth, Tommy Cooper, Dick Emery, Les Dawson, Bob Hope and, of course, Morecambe and Wise.

To Barry, Eric Morecambe will always be his main inspiration.

"He was a comedy great - a true inspiration as was Jack Benny. He had such great

timing, real class," he says.

But in his own acts he never attempts to copy or imitate his idols, although he admits: "You draw things from them without realising."

Born in Leeds in 1935 he attended Leeds University reading English, wanting to be a journalist.

But his life took a different path and now, after decades in the business and an OBE in 2001 for his services to comedy to his name, Barry is bringing his new comedy tour to Winchester.

Barry started using his gift of comedic timing and scheming ways as a young boy.

"I was always working angles - I would make the bully laugh to get out of trouble," he says.

Today Barry thinks that there are not sufficient outlets for new talent, and doesn't care for the many reality shows that only function to humiliate people.

"All this humiliation is not good, you might as well strangle somebody at birth," he jokes.

He prefers shows that help people: "I'll tell you what I really like, Faking It. It boosts people up - it's appealing, we need a showcase of new people."

Since Barry began in comedy, times have changed, but he believes that comedy is finally being brought back to the traditional ways.

"Thinking on your feet and timing are the key but is also where some comedians fall down. Back in the 1980s it was very political with the likes of Ben Elton shouting the way, and still today some comedians will still tell racist jokes even in India and then wonder why it's not funny!"

So who has Barry chuckling?

"I love Peter Kay - he reminds me of Les Dawson," he says.

"Some things don't change, he is almost old fashioned in a great way, and I mean that as a complement I think comedy is coming back, to what people like."

Barry has been in the business for over 30 years and his career has gone full circle.

"I prefer performing now, it was where I started and I have gone back to. I like performing live, with an audience and it is not edited!"

His tour The First Farewell Tour sees Barry back in the limelight, but fans needn't worry that he is planning on retiring anytime soon. "You've got to stress first farewell," he says: "I am just keeping the door open to carry on!"

Hailed as 'The King of the One Liner', Barry himself is rather dubious as to where this description came from. "Oh I never said that but I can't complain," he laughs, after all it's on my poster!"

Barry Cryer's The First Farewell Tour is at The John Stripe Theatre, Winchester, 4 July . Performance: 7.30pm. Tickets: £14. Box office: 01962 877 986.