Julian Clary is still searching the country for a husband in his latest hit show. The comedian, who lives in Kent, spoke to James Rampton about what will be in store for audiences.

After more than three decades in showbusiness, camp comedian Julian Clary has become one of the country’s best loved entertainers.

His standing was enhanced by his victory in Celebrity Big Brother last year, when his natural acerbic wit won over millions of viewers. Reflecting on the experience, the 53-year-old, who lives in Aldington, says: “There was a phenomenal opportunity for comedy with that bizarre collection of people – thank God we were able to have a laugh!”

Indeed, Julian has a wonderful rapport with his fans, many of whom have been following him for the past 30 years. The comedian says he is touched that he has evolved with his fans.

“It’s rather sweet that the people who saw me when they were students are now coming to my shows with their grown-up children. There is a real history there. People know what they’re buying the ticket for: glamour, nonsense and vulgarity.”

And that is just what is on offer in his show Position Vacant, Apply Within.

Julian explains that the title of the show reflects his tour’s mission: to scour the land in search of a husband.

“The show is like an open audition. We get a lot of people up on stage and there is a series of elimination rounds. I have a cattle pen with a white picket fence and a prod so I can herd them into it. The eventual winner has a gay marriage with me, conducted by a ‘bishop’.” He says that the conceit of competing to marry him never fails.

“It’s pretty riotous and anarchic. It may be a load of old nonsense, but it’s great fun. Also, having a wedding ceremony with confetti makes it quite touching.”

Given the recent headlines about gay marriage, the show is also topical.

“That has given it an extra boost,” Julian confirms. “We also finish with a song, Cool To Be Queer. It’s a serious song about gay marriage and persecution around the world. I dared myself to do it and I’m very glad I did. It’s nice getting a different reaction. People told me they find it very moving. It’s given them something different to think about on the way home.”

Indeed, Julian has always been open about his homosexuality, expressed through his overtly camp comedy style.

He said: “There’s a great British tradition of innuendo. The English language lends itself to playing with words and double entendre. It’s a way of life for me now. Even on my gravestone there’ll be innuendo: ‘At last, a hole that fits!’”

Indeed, although the comedian has developed a second career as a bestselling novelist, he is an effortless showman and says he could never give up performing.

“It is an addictive thing. Getting a laugh is very good for my soul and for my ego. I genuinely look forward to it after nine months at home writing a book. I need to go out and feel he love.

“My good friend Paul Merton once said to me that I might as well go on tour because I would be doing exactly the same thing if I was just sitting at home. Stand-up is just being yourself in an exaggerated form.”

Extra time

In the early 1980s Julian began working on the cabaret circuit, initially in drag as Gillian Pieface, then wearing heavy glam make-up and outrageous clothes as The Joan Collins Fan Club, accompanied by his whippet Fanny the Wonder Dog.

The camp comic’s big break came in 1989, co-hosting ITV quiz show Trick or Treat. Channel 4 then offered him his own gameshow Sticky Moments which ran from 1990 to 1991.

An acclaimed theatrical actor, his roles on stage have included Leigh Bowery in Boy George’s Taboo in 2004 and Emcee in the 2007 Olivier award-winning production of Cabaret.

Julian is the author of four books, autobiography A Young Man’s Passage (2005) and novels Murder Most Fab (2007), Devil in Disguise (2009) and Briefs Encountered (2012).

He lives in Aldington in a 15th century farmhouse which was owned for 30 years by Noel Coward.

Julian Clary will be at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre on Thursday, April 25. Tickets £21. Call 01322 220000. He will be at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre on Saturday, May 11. Tickets £20. Call 01227 787787.