Les spoofs Eurovision

Jun 6 2008 By Diane Parkes

WHEN Les Dennis first played the part of local host Sergei in the Eurovision take-off Eurobeat he believed his character may be larger than life -then he watched this year's contest.

"I did wonder whether that role was just a bit too over-the-top because he is so crazy. But then this year I watched Eurovision and I saw the presenters from Serbia and I realised they are even more over-the-top than the character I was playing," he says.

"But that is why Eurobeat works so well, because it is such a good spoof. It takes all the things that we know about Eurovision and spoofs them exactly as they are."

Les takes the role of Sergei, a children's presenter who has the job of being the Bosnian host for Eurovision. Alongside Sally Lindsay, he will be the lynchpin of the show which is a take-off of the real international music competition with bands, voting and winners.

At Birmingham Hippodrome from June 9-14, Les will then be appearing at various venues and in the West End later in the year.

But he is determined not to spend too much time away from his London home because he has just become a dad second time round to baby Eleanor Grace, born just six weeks ago with partner Claire Nicholson.

With his first son Philip, by his first wife Lynne now reaching 30, it has been a while since 53-year-old Les was last holding the baby but he is relishing the opportunity.

"I am loving it," he says. "She is so good and we are getting plenty of sleep. I am really thrilled.

"The tour has lots of gaps built in so I can ensure I have plenty of time at home. I am also planning on commuting as much as I can. Certainly when I am in Birmingham I will try to get home as much as possible. I don't want to miss any of it."

It has been a busy few weeks for Les. Not only is he working hard on Eurobeat but he is also promoting his autobiography Must The Show Go On? in which he details the infamous relationship breakdown with his former wife Amanda Holden. But he has no regrets about raking over the past.

"I have chosen what to include in the book so this time it is me dredging up the past rather than other people writing about it," he says. "But generally the book has been well received."

Ticket info

Call 0844 338 5000 or visit www.birmingham hippodrome.com