Joe's the doctor in the Wirral house (From Wirral Globe)

Joe's the doctor in the Wirral house

11:00am Friday 15th June 2012 in Leisure By Craig Manning

FUNNYMAN Joe Pasquale heads the cast of comedy classic Doctor In The House which comes to New Brighton's Floral Pavilion next week.

The comic, actor, gameshow host and reality television star joins acclaimed stage and screen actor Robert Powell in the show, which opens for a week-long run at the seaside venue on Monday, June 18.

Based on the film series, it follows inexperienced young medical student Simon Sparrow as he begins a five-year internship at St. Swithin's Teaching Hospital.

The original Richard Gordon novel is one of twelve Doctor books noted for witty depiction of a medical student's years of professional training.

Based on Richard's own anecdotes and experiences of pre-war medical school, the original Doctor In The House film made a star of Dirk Bogarde, and spawned six follow-ups and a TV series and was the most popular box office film of 1954.

Joe, who made his debut on TV talent show New Faces in 1987, told the Globe: "It's great to be part of something which is a comic institution.

"The show’s been on tour and has been very well received so far.

"I've worked with Robert before, but this is the first stage show we’ve done together. I try to do one play a year, because I love theatre.

"The great thing about this show is that it's set in 1957, a time I'm not familiar with, as I wasn't born then.

"So there’s no mention of mobile phones, internet or anything like that.

"If you want to leave your brain behind and come back to 1957 with me for a couple of hours, this is a wonderful show. It's not a farce, but there is excellent comedy."

One of the country's top live comedians, Joe has been likened to the legendary Tommy Cooper and has a voice that has been described as a 'demented helium balloon'

Before embarking on a showbusiness career, the Essex-born entertainer had a string of jobs, including a clerical assistant for the Department of Transport and Environment Dangerous Goods branch, a short time in a margarine factory and a stint at Ford's in Dagenham, Essex.

The bright lights eventually beckoned and Joe became a Green Coat for Warner Holidays.

In 1987 he made his TV debut on New Faces, winning his heat and then coming second in the grand final.

He has appeared in no less than five Royal Variety Performances and presented TV shows, including The Price Is Right.

He was also crowned King of the Jungle on ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2004.

Tickets for Doctor In The House, which starts at 7.30pm, are from the box office on 0151 666 0000.