HE has played at some of the most prestigious venues on both sides of the Atlantic but East Lancashire fans of controversial comedian Bernard Manning will have the chance to see him on a much more intimate level.

Fresh from appearing before a couple of hundred punters at the Barbican Theatre, Torquay, Bernard is to play at Blackburn's North Bar -- which has a capacity of 150.

Ronnie Brown, owner of the bar in Town Hall Street said the booking was a real coup and tickets were flying out of the door.

And Bernard said he was looking forward to returning to Blackburn where he first appeared at the Cavendish Club many moons ago.

He said: "I've played the London Palladium and in Las Vegas, but I'm not bothered where I appear. I'd play in an empty phonebox if I was asked to. I'm looking forward to playing Blackburn, I get a good reception wherever I go, but it's always good to play in front of local folk."

Criticism has often been levelled at the larger-than-life funny man -- something which he and his agent Chris Graham shrug off.

And Ronnie Brown, who has booked him for Blackburn, said punters were in for a treat.

He said: "The gig has almost sold-out and a lot of people buying tickets are young girls and middle-aged women. To some Bernard is deemed unsuitable, which I think is ridiculous. The things Bernard says basically reflect the kind of things you hear in the workplace."

His agent Chris said Bernard, a tireless charity worker who has raised millions for various organisations, often gets a raw deal.

He said: "Bernard is often portrayed as a cigar-smoking, beer-swilling loud mouth who is both sexist and racist, but that is not the truth at all. He doesn't smoke, is a teetotaller whose best friend is Jewish and has Asian neighbours who love him.

"People harp on about certain things and they stick in people's minds. He raises millions of pounds for charity but he doesn't push the charity side, that stays in the background. He's a great northern comic."