Comedian Julian Clary celebrates 20 years in showbiz at The Anvil in Basingstoke next week.

The flamboyant TV and stage star brings his current UK tour to The Anvil on Saturday, May 24 - and promises plenty of the innuendo and cutting one-liners he's famous for.

"I feel the need to get to grips with the general public once again," says Julian of his first national tour in four years.

Born in Surrey and brought up in Teddington, Middlesex, one of Julian's biggest early influences was his older sister, who had just embarked on a career as a Tiller girl. Fascinated by the illusion created by her heavy make-up, he went on to study drama at Goldsmiths College and made his debut on the cabaret circuit as Gillian Pie-Face.

But the drag act was unsuccessful and he was mercilessly heckled. He soon reinvented himself as The Joan Collins Fan Club and became a hit on the comedy circuit with his saucy act incorporating Fanny the Wonderdog. Julian said: "I had my suitcase and my dog and it was all so self-sufficient, I loved it. It wasn't leading to anything else. It wasn't like 'One day I'll be on television'."

Whether or not it was part of his plan, that was exactly what happened. Some TV producers were in the audience one night and were so impressed they asked him to perform on Friday Night Live.

More TV hits followed, including game show Sticky Moments and spoof sitcom Terry and Julian.

The show starts at 8pm. Box office: 01256 844244.