Rob Brydon steps out from behind his character mask to host a brand new BBC2 chat show as himself

How did The Rob Brydon Show come about?
I toured quite a bit last year – 103 nights which is enough for anyone. A lot of the show involved talking to people in the audience, the BBC saw it and liked it. They asked me to do a show incorporating stand up and other elements and it felt like the right time.

What’s the format?
There are celebrity guests and I come out do a bit of stand up and we also have a musical guest and upcoming comedians who are just about to break through. The audience will also get a chance to ask the main guest some questions so it’s a nice mix, a lot for half an hour, bulging at the seams.

You’ve got a good voice, will you be singing?
It’s not a case of ‘here’s my song’ it’s me messing about really with the musical guests. Tom Jones is coming on the show so I’ll do something with him.

You’ve hosted Would I Lie To You?, Annually Retentive and The Keith Barret Show, does this feel different?
Yes, but I suppose I’ve eased into it so it’s not as big a gear change as it might have been a few years ago. I really enjoy good shows of this nature and if they’re done well, they can be fantastic. Hopefully we’ve got the right balance.

Any guests you can tell us about?
Ronnie Corbett, Stephen Fry, David Walliams, Terry Wogan, James Corden, Jo Brand and Jack Dee. Bryn Terfel is singing and we also have Seasick Steve, Sharleen Spiteri, Paloma Faith and of course Tom Jones. It’s a terrific line up, especially for a first series because it’s a leap of faith to some degree.

But people pretty much know what you’re about?
I hope they have an idea, it’s not a cynical kind of show. I like to think my programmes are positive ventures.

You’ve been really busy lately, haven't you?
I’ve worked pretty solidly so once I’ve done this show I’ll wind down and my plan is to write during the autumn.

There’s talk of a Gavin & Stacey special isn't there?
I don’t know anything about it but the thing is, would it be as good as Gavin & Stacey? When you’ve done something really good, something that catches people’s imagination, there’s a part of you that thinks, ‘Should we just leave it?' We did three series and a Christmas special, there’s something nice about that.

By Mary Comerford