5 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT . . .

1 He failed the audition to play the part of the Artful Dodger in the movie Oliver!

2 Later on in life, he managed to nab roles in Peter Greenaway’s A Zed and Two Noughts and in last year’s Colour Me Kubrick. Which means he has worked alongside John Malkovich, Ken Russell, Frances Barber and David Attenborough. Mind you, he has appeared in more likely titles such as Boobs in the Wood and Sinderella Live.

3 In 2000 he addressed the Tory Party conference but resisted attempts to convince him to stand as a parliamentary candidate. He has dubbed his critics as ‘do-goody, leftie, white, socialist hybrids.’

4 Not sure what David Cameron would have thought of Davidson refusing to play a gig in Plymouth during 2003 as the front row was occupied by wheelchair-users though. ‘I hate people playing the handicapped card’ raged Jimmy.

5 In David Thewlis’ directorial debut, Cheeky, Johnny Vegas wanted to base his character Alf Price on Genghis Khan. But instead chose to get a ‘northern Jim Davidson’ vibe going.

Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Sun 29 Oct.