Jim Davidson
Albert Halls, Bolton

THE last 12 months have been a roller coaster for Jim Davidson, but the controversial comic showed he has bounced back from his dark days.

Touring with musician and old friend Richard Digance as part of an anniversary of when they entertained the troops in the Falklands war in the 1980s, the show was stripped back with no frills, with each offering an intimate show of what they do best.

Digance, best known for infusing comedy, music and storytelling, was treated to a number of well-deserved rounds of applause and was the perfect support to warm the crowd up before Jim took to the stage.

Jim was exactly what he always has been — whether it be back in his Big Break days or the more recent Big Brother. It is fair to say that he has had his fair share of critics — being labelled racist, sexist and homophobic.

But the Jim who stood on stage on Thursday night came across warm, down to earth and very rude. But that is what Jim does.

Yes, he did various accents, impressions and characters but you didn’t get the impression that there were any negative connotations attached to them. Perhaps the best impression was that of his late father, who, despite coming across as a drunken Scot, it offered an insight into his upbringing.

The man is obviously still scarred from being arrested as part of operation Yewtree (and later released with no further action taken) so it was inevitable that would play a part in his routine. But although he worked his magic on what was a very grave situation, it was a very sad story to hear at a comedy gig.

For some the routines about disability may have been too far, such as his deaf character, but again this is what you get when you go to a Jim Davidson gig — and if it is something that offends then he would probably tell you himself not to go.

Vickie Scullard