AS someone who has been making audiences laugh for over 30 years you would expect Stan Boardman to be in a pretty good position to judge the current state of comedy, particularly on TV.

The Liverpool funnyman who will be bringing what he describes as a good old fashioned variety show to the Southport Theatre on August 27 doesn't hold back about the lack of similar such shows on mainstream TV.

"Sadly I feel that TV these days is letting down a lot of the general public. It's no wonder that viewers are leaving in droves," he said. "These co-called alternative comedians, what's funny about them? Nothing. They think it's trendy not to be funny but that's not entertainment.

"Then there's all these reality programmes. Is it entertaining to watch someone sleeping? I don't think so."

Boardman is uniquely qualified to talk about entertainment on TV. His rise to prominence came after winning the ultimate TV talent show Opportunity Knocks. From there he enjoyed a spot on the much celebrated The Comedians which brought stand-up out of the clubs and into the public eye.

This summer Stan has been enjoying a reunion with some of his fellow Comedians, presenting a show every Sunday at Blackpool Opera House.

"The reception we have had has been tremendous," he said. "All these lads can do it. We were all brought up in the clubs where you had to get up in front of an audience and make people laugh -- that's a skill which these days many people haven't got.

"Life is all about having a laugh, taking the mickey and observing things. I think you should tell jokes about everyone providing you don't hurt people when you you do it, that's not on."

Boardman's cheeky sense of fun is clearly of a different age. His belief that there is humour in most situations has got him into trouble in the past.

His jokes about the war have upset some and most recently he got into hot water following a spontaneous remark at a sportsman's dinner at Leeds United around the time that two of the club's star players were in court on assault charges.

"The Elland Road thing was something I do regret. I just made an off the cuff remark and I should have known better," he says.

"But I was a bit surprised to find myself on the front page of the abloids as a result yet stories about Bin Laden were tucked away inside."

The variety show coming to Southport -- and which has been touring the south during the summer -- sees Stan taking top billing, Also appearing wil be fellow Opportunity Knocks winner Bernie Flint and Sixties singing star Shel Macrae.

"We've got dancing girls, the lot," he says proudly. "It really is good old fashioned entertainment. TV has forgotten a lot of its viewers, it caters too much for the younger audience.

"We have been getting standing ovations from audiences, they just want to have a good night out."

As well as the touring show and his weekly stint during the summer in The Comedians, Stan Boardman is heavily involved in charity work and in much demand as an after dinner speaker and at charity golf days.

But does he see himself as a regular face on the small screens again?

"To be honest I don't think my type of shows are being made any more," he said ruefully.

"There is an audience out there but producers aren't interested. But I will continue to do live shows and take the mickey out of the audience and myself and we will continue to have a good time."

"That's what it's all about really isn't it, having a laugh?"

For information about Stan Boardman variety show at the Southport Theatre contact the box office on 01704 500036.