HOW do you have a long career in show business? Consistency? Being popular?

For Jim Davidson, who is celebrating four decades in the entertainment industry, it is down to honesty.

His latest show, 40 Years On, looks back at Davidson’s triumphs and tragedies, from his breakthrough on New Faces in 1976, through to winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2014. Davidson plans to take his audience at the Anvil, on January 31, on a trip down memory lane, regaling them with never-before heard stories, as he reminisces on the highs, lows and controversies of a unique life spent in the public eye.

“For me this show has been like writing a book but it is less bother,” said the 63-year-old.

“People follow these stories about me from the beginning and then see me on stage and it might give them hope. They might think well if Jim can get through this, so can I.

“You need to be truthful in your life. I tend not to look back and judge myself on what has gone on before, you need to make split decisions in life. I just react to everything that is said to me I never sleep on it or count to 10.”

Best known for his work as the host of the Generation Game and Big Break, Davidson has pretty much lived his life under the watchful eye of the public ever since.

With some controversy along the way, the comedian said he is now thinking about stepping away from the limelight and focusing on his charity work for the British Forces Foundation, which he started in 2000.

“The feeling of being on stage in front of a live audience, there is no greater feeling than that,” Davidson told The Gazette.

“But there is also no better feeling than sitting down and helping these veterans and it is something that I am really passionate about.”

Throughout all the ups and downs of his career, the allrounder said he was shocked to win Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, and by quite some margin, but he admits it’s not an experience he is looking to repeat.

He added: “I was totally shocked to win, I thought I would last two days. “It was awful in that house, the worst thing was boredom.

“There was no books to read no nothing and putting up with all the shouting.”

Davidson will be performing at the Anvil on January 31, with doors at 7.30pm. For more information visit anvilarts.org.uk.