FRANK Sidebottom, who is coming to Darwen on April 7, was a legend in his own lunchtime an optimistic superhero spawned from the Madchester scene of the early nineties.

Trying to explain the appeal of the paper-mache headed hero to those who are either too young to remember him, or spent the late eighties and early nineties living under a rock is impossible.

"You know, that man with the funny voice and the papier mch head?

"He lived in Timperley and used to talk about his mum and football all the time?"

You either get him or you don't.

And much like Marmite you love or hate him.

He might be nothing more than Chris Sievey wearing a spherical papier mch head but like Mr Blobby, Zig and Zag and Chico he captured the hearts of a nation.

His character reached cult status thanks to extensive touring of the country focusing on smaller towns with performances varied from straight stand-up comedy to a tombola, or a lecture.

In the late nineties he faded into obscurity but he's attempting to re-trace the road to stardom.

Expect singing, dancing, comedy and laughs. Expect the unexpected.

Frank Sidebottom is at Darwen Library Theatre on Friday, April 7. For tickets call 01254 706 006 or 01254 582 582.