ZANY Freddie Starr, the Liverpudlian comic -- once reported to have bitten the head off a hamster -- is appearing at Malvern Theatres.

His show: Freddie Starr 'Unwrapped' is sure to contain all the unpredictable style of manic comedy he's been famed for, for more than three decades.

Freddie could be described as a cross between Norman Wisdom and Tommy Cooper, a blend of slapstick comedy mixed with a certain child-like innocence. He also has an outstanding ability to impersonate singers, including Elvis Presley. However, he never gets to the end of a song without allowing it to degenerate with hilarious consequences.

When the Journal spoke to Freddie this week he was cautious about revealing the format of his latest show. He said: "If I told you about it I would give the game away."

He also said he wanted to apologise to his fans for previous cancelled shows before his operation on his vocal chords. He added: "I don't like letting people down but I had to take a year off - I couldn't trust my voice - it's fine now though."

Freddie started entertaining right back in the 1960's as a rock 'n roller in the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool alongside The Beatles, Cilla Black and Gerry and the Pacemakers. Even then though Freddie's spark of genius would turn rock n' roll into a comedy routine that very quickly built him a huge following of fans.

He said: "It was an interesting time in my life - I honestly never thought The Beatles would make it."

Freddie never lost his love for singing. His first album, After the Laughter, was a top ten success, earning him a gold disc for over half a million sales. Asked why his career didn't continue in that direction, Freddie said: "It's my path of destiny to make people laugh. I have always had a good sense of humour - I never like to be serious for very long."

Now living in Spain, the wacky character, confessed that the hamster story, which appeared in the tabloids several years ago, was a lie. He also said he would be returning to the UK to live in the near future because he had had enough sun and beach.

He said: "You start feeling brain dead - I decided I had to come back and start writing again."

Fans wanting to catch the fresh Freddie can book tickets for the show on Saturday May 25, priced £16.50, by contacting the box office on 01684 892277.