Roll up, roll up to see David Essex in his musical All the Fun of the Fair. The singer and actor told Chris Price why it’s a doddle compared to being Eddie Moon in EastEnders.

With the rigours of life on Albert Square behind him, David Essex might have hoped for a break after enduring EastEnders’ punishing schedule.

Sadly, no such luck. The singer and star of stage and screen had a four-day break before hurling himself into rehearsals for his musical All the Fun of the Fair, based on the songs from his back catalogue.

The Rock On singer is certainly not complaining about the revival of his career. His appearance as Eddie Moon on EastEnders pushed viewing figures to a 10-year high at the peak of his intense father-son storyline with Michael Moon actor Steve John Shepherd.

Yet despite his success on the BBC1 show, his exposure to a whole new audience has helped keep his feet firmly on the ground.

David, 64, said: “It is funny walking about because the little kids will say “Eddie!” and when I say “hello” they ask 'so what is your real name then?’

“I really enjoyed it. It was a challenge to have such a massive storyline. Thankfully my son in All the Fun of the Fair is not as twisted as Michael in EastEnders.”

In a career which has seen him successful across the charts, stage and screen, David said he has a new found respect for actors who make their name on soaps. David is the only person who has had success simultaneously in theatre, the charts and on the big screen. In 1973 he starred in the film That’ll Be The Day, recorded his international hit single Rock On and starred as Jesus in the West End musical Godspell. Yet none of that prepared him for the pressure of a major role on Albert Square.

“One day Steve and I got through 38 pages of dialogue,” said David. “If you are working on a film it is good going if you get through two or three.

“You just spend all your time learning your lines. There is no rehearsal. I would say it is harder to act in a soap than on a film. If you can pull it off in EastEnders you can anywhere. It is fast, furious and intimidating when you think you have got 11 million people watching you four times a week.”

Whichever way you look at him, David appears to be a glutton for punishment. As well as performing All the Fun of the Fair, he has plans to work on a film next year and write the score for another movie.

“I seem to be so busy but it is lovely to work in so many different mediums. It still feels fresh. I have the attention span of a gnat so it helps me to work in different areas and the audience don’t get sick of me. Maybe that is the secret of longevity.”

The other main punishment David subjects himself to, is being a fan of West Ham United, who were relegated to the Championship last season. He played for West Ham United Juniors as a youngster and often gets his co-stars to tell him the result when he is at the side of the stage.

“It would be nice to go up but I am quite enjoying this season. It is nice to win some matches.”

David Essex stars in All the Fun of the Fair at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre from Tuesday, November 8 until Saturday, November 12. Tickets from £25.50. Call 01322 220000.