Alexander Armstrong is a man of many talents. But now the comedian, actor and quiz show host is stepping out into a brave new world. He chatted to Kathryn Tye about what he admits may be perceived as a ‘baffling’ venture.

He is one of the most recognisable faces on TV, and at the age of 43 and with three young children he could be forgiven for playing it safe. But instead, the host of BBC’s Pointless is embarking on a bold new venture – as a singer.

He is going on tour with his own band, offering his take on a diverse range of songs from Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby, to Spandau Ballet’s True and Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

He said: “I know people are going to be a little bit baffled. But I don’t intend it to be a new career. It is just something I enjoy doing.”

Alexander, who is best known as half of comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, was asked to do the tour after a successful five-night run of cabaret at the London Hippodrome earlier this year.

He said: “The Hippodrome likes to put unexpected people on the bill, and when they asked if I would like to do it, I thought ‘why not?’ And I loved it. It was an entirely different form of expression, and it was great to sing again.”

A classically trained baritone, Alexander almost became a professional singer before deciding to go into comedy. He said: “I was in the choir at Cambridge University, and we went on endless tours. I nearly went into classical music, but the thing that put me off is that you spend life on the road.”

His new show sees him team up with virtuoso wind player Simon Bates, Van Morrison’s drummer Jeff Lardner and Jools Holland’s bassist Dave Swift.

Alexander said: “I have been performing music for most of my life and never come across musicians like this. They are off the scale. We just have a lovely time. There is a lot of chat, and a lot of banter. It is definitely more intimate than a comedy gig. In fact, I feel less nervous about this tour than I normally do, which is odd as I’m more exposed. On a comedy tour I’m nervous about learning lines and forgetting what I’m doing. This I can just enjoy.”

It won’t be the first time that the public has heard Alexander sing, however, after his successful stint earlier this year on the ITV show Your Face Sounds Familiar.

Six celebrities dressed up and performed in the style of well known singers each week to win £10,000 for their chosen charity. Emmerdale actress Natalie Anderson won the show, and Alexander got through to the final.

Alexander said: “I thought it sounded like karaoke with dressing up, which seemed like fun. As it was being filmed in July and August, it was also great timing as I am patron for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust which helps people with depression, and we like to raise awareness of the charity during the summer.”

Alexander took on an eclectic range of personas, from Johnny Cash to Johnny Rotten, with a bit of Barry Manilow and Susan Boyle in between. He said: “I really did enjoy it. You stand there holding this microphone and thinking ‘oh God, in 20 seconds this is going to be live in people’s homes’.

“But I made it through, and it was lovely to be one of the runners-up. Performing as Pavarotti was definitely my favourite, though they were big shoes to fill – and a big jacket!”

Despite being forced to wear some embarrassing get-ups, Alexander said his comedy partner, and friend of 20 years, Ben Miller, resisted the urge to mock him: “There weren’t any texts from Ben taking the mickey! I have known him since university, and we always support each other’s solo projects. Though we are definitely going to work together again. We are developing a new comedy drama script for the BBC.”

Alexander now also has another professional partner, Richard Osman, his co-presenter on quiz show Pointless for four years. He said: “Richard and I have also known each other since university, and we have so much fun making the show. To think that it is my day job is absurd. As long as people enjoy watching it, we will make it.

“I have been lucky enough to do so many interesting and different things in my career, and now getting the chance to indulge my love of singing with this tour is just great.”

Alexander Armstrong and his Band will be at Canterbury's Gulbenkian Theatre on Sunday, October 27. The show starts at 7.30pm, tickets £22.50. Call 01227 769075.