The entertaining ensemble have only 15 seconds per guest to strut their stuff on the weekly chat show. But now they are bringing a first national tour of their own, More Hairdressers Than a Barber Shop, to Leamington.

With pooled talents in dance, cabaret, theatre and television acting, the four 'poofs' - David Wickeden, Stephen de Martin, David Roper and Ian Parkin - first performed in a Soho club in 2000.

They were invited to become the resident house band on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross the following year.

Looking back on their first meeting with the comedy host, Ian Parkin said: "We found him a bit daunting because he is very quick-witted - his mind is razor sharp.

"We struggled to keep up with him for a while, but now he is very supportive and is always trying to help us out. We don't try to keep up with him any more because we know we can't!"

Meeting the many and varied guests has been a great experience for Mr Parkin. He said: "Joan Rivers was hysterically funny, and for me, meeting Tom Hanks was a huge thrill as I'm a very big fan of his."

He named some other guests that have stood out for him as Julie Walters, John Mills and David Attenborough, but he added: "Again, it's a bit daunting when you meet people like that as you're so excited sometimes words don't come out of your mouth when you open it."

The group is now part-way through their UK-wide tour and audiences have been appreciative so far. Mr Parkin said: "Our own show is different because, while on Friday Night the sentiment might be funny but the words are serious, in our show all the songs have funny lyrics - mostly written by ourselves.

"And of course we have more than 15 seconds for each song. There is also dancing and choreography - it's a comedy show.

"We like to get people laughing from very early on and not stop till the end. It seems to be working so far."

* More Hairdressers Than a Barber Shop is on at the Spa Centre on November 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15. Call 334418 or visit www.royal-spa-centre.co.uk
www.4poofsandapiano.com