Richard Digance

RICHARD DIGANCE admits he isn't looking forward to going back on the road this autumn - but it's nothing to do with stage fright or worrying that he might have lost his touch.

"I've had severe trepidation about the tour, but it's more of a technical issue," says the comedy-guitarist.

"Last time I toured, there weren't any speed cameras. Touring Britain at 30mph is going to be a bit arduous."

It's not just the dreaded yellow the 80s comedy star and Romsey resident is worried about. Competition for audiences is now fiercer than ever.

"Not so many people go to the theatre now. There's videos and DVDs and more TV channels. But hopefully my name still carries some weight."

Richard, famous for his unique brand of acoustic guitar-based satire, took early retirement from the stage in 1999 to enjoy time writing, painting and fishing in rural Hampshire, which has been his home for the last 11 years.

Last October, though, he was persuaded to play two shows at the Tower Arts Centre in Winchester.

The response was so positive he now has a 70-date national tour lined up for the autumn.

"What prompted me to get back on stage was my mate Sharpey from my village," reveals Richard.

"We went for a beer at The Tower in Winchester where Fairport Convention, mates of mine from my folk days, were performing.

"Sharpey said 'Have you got itchy fingers?' I said 'I'd love to be up there'. The bloke who runs the place then asked me if I'd like to perform there. I ended up doing two nights last October."

Richard has been far from idle during his break from performing.

For the last few months he has been immersed in the world of amateur dramatics, directing the Romsey-based Phoenix Theatre Company's latest production, Stepping Out (see left for more).

Ecstatically received in the Southern Daily Echo this week, Richard has found the experience a rewarding one.

"It was a journey. We started it last October and have been working on it every Tuesday and Thursday since.

"It was very brave of them to risk one of the hardest productions in theatre."

Born in Plaistow, East London, Richard studied history and engineering in Glasgow before discovering his true vocation.

"Being a Londoner in Glasgow was a bit harrowing and I found solace in the candlelit rooms of the folk club run by Billy Connolly. He was obviously a huge subconscious inspiration to me.

"As I watched every Sunday night, what occurred to me was that if you sang you got a free pint and if you played the guitar a lot of girls came up and talked to you."

Having jumped on the folk entertainment bandwagon of people like Connolly, Jasper Carrott and Max Boyce, Richard worked his way up through the entertainment business, including a spell as Jim Davidson's guitarist ("I was with him in the Falklands. He always goes where there's trouble - and if there isn't trouble, he starts it") before winning his own TV series on LWT.

"I've always kept the integrity of being a guitar player. On my TV shows I'd do duets with people like Brian May and the guys from Status Quo.

"That's why I think a lot of young people still come to see the shows. Acoustic music is pretty cool, so there's a curiosity value."

Richard Digance is at The Tower, Winchester on Wednesday and Thursday. Performance: 8pm. Tickets: £14 (concessions available). Box office: 01962 867986.