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The crowds at the New Theatre will be chanting tonight: "Who ate all the pies? Who ate all the pies? You fat b******, You fat b******, You ate all the pies!"

Yes, this is the welcome Roy Chubby Brown has come to expect in the build-up to his act. And the man with the helmet (supposedly from 633 Squadron, which flew Mosquitoes in the Second World War) is still shocking audiences in those few venues that will have him back!

His humour is self-admittedly coarse and sick - strictly for adults only - and yet audiences return to see him again and again. Still too rude for television, you can always rely on 'Chubby' to shock, but never disappoint.

Brown, 63, holds the record as the first man to get a record in the top 10 with the F-word in it. He has also caused offence with jibes about race, women and the Queen Mother.

So what's his secret? "Work hard, always change your act, remember the people who helped you on the way up and don't believe the good or the bad stuff written about you."

Brown started off as a drummer, but during a gig at a working men's club during a power cut he started cracking jokes to keep a mutiny at bay and the rest is history.

"It's just harmless vulgarity. I'm just one of the lads," he insists.

Born in Teeside, as Royston Vasey (the name used for the village in the dark TV comedy The League of Gentlemen), he had a difficult childhood and left home at 14. He lived rough and held down a variety of jobs, at one time joining the Merchant Navy, and served time in Borstal and prison.

But if anyone has worked hard to get where they are it's Roy, as a DVD of his 40 years in the business will testify. When asked what thing helped him progress the most, he replies: "Every car I've owned, because I do 80,000 miles a year. You have to if you stay off TV!"

He also reads every paper every day to search for material for his routine. So when does Roy have time to sit back and enjoy his fame?

"I don't get much time to enjoy it. I'm on the road all the time. The beauty is I don't have to worry about my bills, apart from that it hasn't changed my life that much. I know many people who have more holidays than I do."

On the other hand he hates living out of a suitcase "and not having your own kitchen".

But what of the private Chubby, and does he exist anyway? Having released Common as Muck: The Autobiography of Roy 'Chubby' Brown we know that Brown is married to Helen, his third wife, with children and has homes in Middlesbrough and in Lincolnshire.

He was also diagnosed with throat cancer in 2004, and had a vocal cord removed.

As for the family man, he doesn't agree with effing and blinding for the sake of it, and is still stunned when people recognise him out of costume, claiming: "It happens all the time, and it amazes me. I think I look nothing like Chubby in real life."

But back to the stage act. Have there been any really embarrassing moments up there? "No not really. You have to remember you're asking Chubby Brown here.

"I can fart into the mike and people still love it." Says it all really.

CHUBBY ON THE SPOT: Your favourite food? Fish and chips and seconds.

Favourite drink? Whisky (Red Label) and Coke, no ice.

Favourite item of clothing? The helmet.

Will your kids do the same job as you do? No! They could mind - they are both funny. But they've made their choice in life already and good luck to them.

Are you scared of flying? Yes 100 per cent. I just put my head between my legs and kiss my b******s goodbye!

Favourite football team? I've supported Boro' since I was a kid and still go to as many home games as possible. I still sit in the stand and have a laugh with my sons and the lads.

Where is your favourite holiday resort? Ooh, hard one. I go to Tenerife all the time. But I'd have to say Las Vegas is my favourite. All the shows and lights - it's just like Blackpool!

Any hobbies? I've taken up golf but I'm still a fair weather player. Football I play with the crew as often as I can. Mainly comedy, I love to study other people and spend time in funny people's company. 'Funny things happen to funny people' is my motto.

How did you learn to be quick off the mark with a reply? Years of practice, basically. It eventually becomes second nature.

Who are your favourite comedians? Ken Dodd, Bob Monkhouse, Robin Williams, Billy Connolly. I think anybody who firstly has the bottle to get up on stage and tell a gag that does make people laugh is worthy of respect.

Favourite venue? Tough one. They are all different. The first time I sold out the Palladium was a good night to remember.

3:47pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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