PHOENIX Nights star Justin Moorhouse is bringing his autumn stand-up comedy tour "Who's The Daddy?" to Blackburn on September 23 and Burnley on September 8.

I'M FIRST in a long line of interviewers who Justin Moorhouse has to speak to today to promote his new stand-up show Justin Moorhouse: Who's The Daddy.

When I dial his number at 9am he's still croaky-voiced and getting his brain into gear.

I'm happy to discover he hasn't prepared any set answers to questions, as celebrities promoting new shows often do.

"The show is called Who's The Daddy although the title's not that important," said Justin.

"I do talk a bit about being a dad and how having kids changes your life, but there's lots of other stuff in it too.

"It's not a high-faluted concept. It's just that when you take your show to Edinburgh you have to give it a name."

Who's The Daddy is Justin's third tour and each time he's played a few more dates and gone a bit further from home.

This time he's doing 22 dates, including Burnley Mechanics on Saturday, September 8, and King George's Hall, Blackburn, on Sunday, September 23.

"It was a conscious decision to do mainly North West gigs, not because I don't go down well in the south, but because I like to get home," said Justin.

"I have to get back to do my radio show."

Although Justin entered the public's psyche with his role as Young Kenny in Phoenix Nights, he's perhaps just as well known in Manchester nowadays for his job presenting Manchester's Key 103 radio station afternoon show between 1pm and 4pm each weekday.

"Being a radio presenter is like having a job but not really having a job," he said.

"It's too fun to be classed as a job really. I definitely never thought I'd be doing anything like this for a living."

Before getting into stand-up comedy Justin had a long line of jobs, including working for the council and in sales.

"I'm grateful for every day," he said.

"When you think about it, it's quite unbelievable.

"I was 29 before I started doing anything in showbusiness.

"I decided to do stand up eight years ago and from there my life changed. Since then I've never had a bad day at work.

"Phoenix Nights was the catalyst. I was in the right place at the right time and I'm grateful for the opportunity it gave me.

"I was very lucky to get that job - it changed my life and it was great to be involved in something that people loved so much."

Of course being involved in the show means people will always associate Justin with Peter Kay.

"Do people expect jokes about garlic bread and dancing at weddings at my gigs?

"Well, I think because I'm fat and from the North West it's inevitable I'll be compared to Peter Kay isn't it?

"This is my third tour and I think sometimes people are still a bit surprised - they expect an idiotic man with a tiger face to come out on stage."

Justin's exuberant, larger-than-life personality and cheeky northern charm earned him support slots with such stand-up luminaries as Jimmy Carr, Peter Kay, Dave Spikey and John Thomson and a nomination for Best Comedy Performance at the prestigious Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards.

Jimmy Carr has praised him in interviews, saying Justin is his favourite comedian.

Is it an honour being the favourite of such an established comic? I ask Justin.

"Erm, I think the quote is 'easily my favourite comedian'" corrected Justin with a laugh.

"Yeah, it's great."

His own favourites include Billy Connolly, Ross Noble, Morcambe and Wise and Les Dawson.

"I like most comedians really," he said.

"I just love comedy. I've always loved it.

"I like comedians who aren't spiteful in their acts. I try not to offend people in my show.

"I don't mean that in a PC way but I'm the butt of most of my jokes.

"I want to make people laugh, not feel bad about themselves."

He's not so generous with his colleagues, however.

"I think most comedians and artists have a bit of jealousy going on," he said.

"There's quite a cruel streak in most comedians as well.

"When you do a gig you'll be on with four or five other acts and nobody ever watches each other's act unless word gets round that you're dying on stage.

"Then you'll see the other comedians slipping out from backstage to come and have a look."

Justin Moorhouse comes to Burnley Mechanics on September 8 (call 01282 664411) and King George's Hall, Blackburn, on September 23 (call 01254 582582).