ADE Edmondson returns to Wirral later this year as part of a ‘comic supergroup’ during the International Guitar Festival.

The actor, comedian and TV presenter is also a quarter of the The Idiot B****** Band, who will perform at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on November 15.

Also in the group are his friends Neil Innes, seventh member of Monty Python, actor Rowland Rivron and Radio Six presenter Phill Jupitus, a regular on BBC shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Stephen Fry’s QI.

Their repertoire includes a mix of self-penned songs and covers of classics by the likes of punk legend Ian Dury.

Looking forward to the show, Adrian - who made his name on the alternative comedy circuit in the early 1980s - told the Globe: “We’ve been rehearsing for a while now and start the tour in a few weeks’ time, so we should be more than ready.

"It’s about joy. The thing about comedy music, which a lot of people get wrong is that the performers have to sound good and get it all right. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

“I lived with Rowland in a flat in the ‘80s and we used to record little comedy songs on a tape recorder.

“A few years ago we did a gig with Neil with the Bonzos. He’s the godfather of the comic song, so it was a real joy to work with him. We’ve got a catalogue of 80 songs, but we probably can’t remember them all.

“The thing I like about playing live gigs is that people come to see you but don’t know what to expect.”

After graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in drama, Adrian went on to become one of the biggest names at the London-based Comedy Store.

His many television roles include Vyvyan in '80s BBC comedy The Young Ones, Eddie Hitler in Bottom and Dr Abra Durant in the drama Holby City. He recently travelled up and down the UK for ITV series Ade in Britain.

But music has always been Ade’s biggest interest and armed with his mandolin, he went on tour with reformed 1960s comedy group the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band a few years ago.

The 55-year-old is close friends with Bonzo’s co-founder Neil Innes, who wrote their biggest hit I'm The Urban Spaceman, who advised him to form a group.

The band, Bad Shepherds, was a chance for Ade to revisit the music that was the soundtrack of his youth. The band has a huge international following and are still touring. He was also a member of spoof heavy metal band Bad News in 80s comedy series The Comic Strip.

Ade married the comedienne, actress and writer Jennifer Saunders in 1985. The couple have three children and live on a farm in Devon. Asked about future television projects, the Bradford-born star said: "I’ve got an idea for a character who’s a prog-rocker.

"I will write a novel that’s an audio book with music. It’s an autobiography in verse, so will be an exciting and challenging project.”

It was while at university that Adrian met Rik Mayall and the two formed a comedy duo. They later wrote and co-starred in Bottom, with Rik playing the part of Richie.

Asked about the possibility of reprising the roles: “I think we might have reached the end. I saw Rik the other day and we get on well, but a comeback series could wreck something that was great at the time.”

Also peforming duriing the three-week festival, now in its 24th year, are former Mike & The Mechanics frontman Paul Carrack, The Easy All-Stars with their reggae tribute to Michael Jackson’s thriller and Dweezil Zappa, son of the late innovative guitarist Frank.

Tickets and full programme details are from www.bestguitarfest.com or the box office on 0151 666 0000.