HOME is where the heart is for Blackpool old boy John Inman.

A household name for his role as Mr Humphries with THAT famous phrase in the TV sitcom Are You Being Served?, John, pictured here, is delighted to be back in the town where he went to school for Comedy Bonanza 2000 at the Grand Theatre.

"I went to Claremont school you know," John told the Citizen, in between performances of his latest tour A Night Of The Music Hall.

"And they had an old boy's reunion and they never invited me. Excuse me but I was free after all!

"I get over to Blackpool quite a bit actually as I have family here. It was my mother's 90th birthday in February, so I was over for that of course.

"And I managed to see last year's Comedy Bonanza. Frank Carson said to me after "I hear you're coming here next year" and I thought oh right then, so I've known for ages. "It will be a little different this year with a more amalgamated feel rather than solo spots with lots of sketches and routines -- none of this wandering about in dinner suits stuff.

"And we've got 12 girls on stage this time with the Nolans and the Bonanza Showgirls which is marvellous. I've never met the Nolans even though we're from the same town, so that'll be fun."

Busy Mr Inman has also just finished making the fantasy feature film Mumbo Jumbo with such luminaries as Joss Ackland, Brian Blessed and the shapely Melinda Messinger and signed up for another panto season in Plymouth at Christmas.

"I never actually met Melinda unfortunately. I play a rather doddery old priest and we filmed a lot of it in Germany in intense cold and I'm here to tell you thermals don't work!"

But John is certain of a warmer reception when he comes to the seaside.

"It's actually my 65th birthday on June 28 so there'll be a bit of a family party."

Catch John along with Billy Pearce, The Nolans, Jimmy Cricket, Kev Orkian and the Bonanza Showgirls from July 6 -- October 28 at Blackpool Grand Theatre in Comedy Bonanza 2000.

For tickets and further details call the box office on (01253) 290190.