Al Murray, The Pub Landlord, will be Giving It Both Barrels at the Grand Opera House, York. Time for a swift half in conversation across the bar with Charles Hutchinson...

How long have you been the Pub Landlord?

"Nine years."

Without being rude, your publicity picture looks like you've been supping the ales. True or false?

"No. I'm sticking my gut out for the picture. I've actually lost a bit of weight this summer, but I don't know how.

"I don't watch my weight. I don't get on the scales. I never bother with any of that."

How many pints do you sup in a gig, Al?

"The current show is a six or seven-pint show. It's not a long show but that's the way it's working out, six or seven - and the beer does reduce the wear and tear on my voice, which is essential, given all the talking I have to do."

Who's getting the beers in?

"Marstons Pedigree are sponsoring the tour.

"They came and said hello to us, and though I always stay out of the commercial aspect of things, we're now branded up to the eyeballs. I'm even wearing the Marstons' pump badge as a belt buckle."

Nice pint?

"Nice pint. Our tour wagon is full of Marstons beer as well as transporting the set. They do a very nice bottle to share but obviously it's so nice, I don't share it."

What's your very favourite pint?

"...Marstons Pedigree, brewed in the barrel in the traditional manner at Burton-upon-Trent.

"I was always a lager drinker but this beer deal has coincided nicely with my decision to drink bitter more slowly."

In the past you have called your shows such witty titles as Who Dares Wines, And A Glass Of White Wine For The Lady! and My Gaff, My Rules. Why are you Giving It Both Barrels this time?

"It was one of those lucky things. I have a team of bright and beautiful marketing and design people, a team of experts in their field it must be said, and we were looking through some photos for the tour, when I spotted one of me holding two barrels.

"So I said 'How about Giving It Both Barrels'? The meeting ended there"

You're on tour for 60 shows. You're leaving your relief manager in charge almost as long as Peggy's been away from the Queen Vic. Why do so many shows at once?

"It's all those pork pies on the road. I must admit, I really love the gigs. They're still as much fun as they ever were but, my God, the travel is really hard work. Motorways are so boring."

The Pub Landlord likes to rant with a measure of British Thinking and a shot of Common Sense Reasoning. Love is on the agenda this time, apparently, so what is love, Al?

"The Pub Landlord has lost faith in the idea of love, but he'll try to explain what women want from love and what men want from love...which seems to be different things."

After Time Gentlemen Please on Sky, is it time for more of the Pub Landlord on TV?

"We're developing an idea. Last year, the last part of the stage show was a pub quiz, and we're now devising it for TV for the New Year.

"It'll be a proper game show, with four rounds and the chance to play the joker, with me as the host.

"We're using Blankety Blank as the model...but the difference is, my show will be funny."

As an authority on beer, Al, do you have a York hostelry you always visit when in town?

"Nine years ago, or maybe it was eight, in the early days of the Pub Landlord, Harry Hill and I had to travel up to Dundee and we decided we'd take a day off in York en route.

"We had a day eating curry and getting drinks in all the pubs along the river with those flood markings on the wall. But it was such a good day, I can't remember any of the names."

Cheers.

"Cheers."

Tickets for the 8pm show cost £16.50 on 0870 606 3595.

Updated: 08:56 Friday, October 31, 2003