NATIONAL trinket, Julian Clary, comedian, entertainer and author, is set to unleash a new book for children. The third instalment of his series, The Bolds, about a family of hyenas who live in disguise as humans, will be called "The Bolds on Holiday" and it will come out through the Andersen Press, next February.

Before then, Julian will be promoting his new book at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, on October 9.

In an interview, the sometimes controversial but versatile and much-loved entertainer is keen to discuss what actually makes him tick, and how his days of lycra are long behind him, apparently.

"Yes. Well that’s what I’m telling you anyway," he said. "I think there’s nothing drearier than a 56 year old homosexual hanging around Soho in lycra. Mercifully, one grows out of that. Thank goodness."

But does Julian think people still disapprove, and are his shows still rude, that is, when he isn't promoting a children's book?

He said: "I don't want to be filthy for the sake of it, but I think it's a comic device.You just exaggerate who you really are on stage. I'm quite fond of moments of vulgarity."

However, comedy and attitudes have changed since Julian first hit the big time, three decades ago.

He said: "There was a certain amount of anger and delight in confronting people when I started, which has more or less gone now.

"Making people laugh is my main aim in life these days. I don't think there's so much to be angry about now."

He's still not bored of touring and performing, even though it can be lonely.

Julian said: "Well, nobody's making you do it; and there's a Waitrose in every town these days.

"It’s probably just the dreary, married heterosexual types that complain. This is what I wanted to do 30 years ago, and I'm still doing it: standing on stage, talking about myself and getting applause for it. What’s not to like?"

He reflected: "I suppose it's a bit weird coming off stage and being on your own, but it doesn't bother me."

As for his private life, Julian is keen to pursue an idyllic life in rural Kent.

He said: "You'd have to pay a lot of money to get me into a nightclub. Yuck. I like to keep myself nice these days."

And his attitudes towards his old, outrageous stage outfits have also changed, it seems.

Julian said: "I used to look at all these drawings of rubber outfits covered in feathers and think, 'My goodness, that's outrageous, I couldn't possibly'. But that was part of the fun."

But when asked if he would consider wearing them again, Julian said: "Don't be silly. I sniff them sometimes; just for old times’ sake. Scent is very evocative isn’t it? A lung full of my old diamante jockstrap and I’m immediately transported back to the London Palladium in 1993."

But that was a long time ago, really; so how does Julian feel about ageing?

He said: "It’s not on the top of my list of enjoyable things; although I am thrilled with my grey hair. I’ve turned from a fluffy chicken into a silver fox.

"It's very interesting: when you're young, there are all these things you want to achieve; then when you get to your 50s you've either done them or you haven't, so the physical deterioration is offset by the things that you can tick off the list. In that respect each decade is better than the last. Although I'm sure one reaches a tipping point where that's not the case anymore."

So will be real Julian Clary please stand up?

He said: "Maybe people imagine I'm camp and outrageous all the time and that I wear full make-up and glittery outfits when I’m at home doing the hoovering.

"In fact I wear just a touch of raspberry lip balm and a drip dry kimono; just like anyone else."

Further details for Julian's appearance at Cheltenham can be found at, http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/grid