BILLY Pearce insists he wears many different hats. Naturally, the headwear he's referring to is purely metaphorical, you get the distinct impression Billy would be loath to hide the trademark blonde spikes of his carefully highlighted hair.

Reluctant to reveal his age, Billy likes to project himself as a multi-talented performer.

"I'm not a family entertainer," he says, despite the fact that his Laughter Show, currently running in Blackpool's Grand Theatre, is aimed at families with young children.

"The rest of the year I do an adult show and I do panto.

"I do lots of different things."

His Blackpool show, which he performs alongside big names like The Grumbleweeds and Penny Taylor from ITV's Cruise Ship, will run until November.

He said: "It's a very fast-moving show.

"We all do our own acts but we also join in with each other.

"Nobody's on for longer than 10 minutes. It keeps the audience watching. There's lots of slapstick stuff. That's why it's doing so well.

"We had 900 people in last Wednesday night.

"Word of mouth seems to be doing more than all the posters."

Leeds-born Billy first came to prominence on New Faces in 1986 and has since appeared at the Royal Variety Show.

That, he admits, was all a long time ago.

"At the time it was special," he said.

"It was great to be asked to do the Royal Variety Show. Entertaining the Queen was undoubtedly a feather in my cap."

Since then Billy has appeared on Channel Five's variety show The Big Stage, hosted by Bradley Walsh.

Other TV appearances have included Can't Cook, Won't Cook and The Des O'Connor Show.

Now, however, he is faced with a different task -- entertaining families in Blackpool.

With his own family, including his two-and-a-half year-old son in residence during his four month stay in the town, Billy is enjoying the seaside atmosphere.

"I've been up to Blackpool so many times now," he says.

"I'm happy to be at the Grand.

"It's nice to be performing in such a beautiful theatre."

You can catch The Billy Pearce Laughter Show at the Blackpool Grand Theatre from Monday to Saturday until November 1. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £12.50 for OAPs and children are free. Details from the box office on 01253 290190.