FAMILY entertainer Stu Francis wouldn't mind swapping his Buttons costume for something more suave - such as the outfit of a James Bond villain.

The Bolton comedian said: "I would try anything. I wouldn't put myself forward for it, but I would maybe like to do a bit of straight acting, a bit legit. Maybe a villain. I'd play it really Boltonian, like 'Eh up, 007.'"

This year will be Francis's fourth appearance at the Albert Halls and, although he is performing in the classic fairytale Cinderella, he has not abandoned his Crackerjack past.

"The opening number is called Crush A Grape. It's got all the old catchphrases in it, so people can sing along," he said.

Although phrases like "I could crush a grape" became famous from the Crackerjack children's programme of the 1970s and '80s, Francis had been using them in his club shows long before he won the TV spot.

After using it one night, members of the audience came up to him to repeat the phrase.

"I thought, 'Out of an hour's worth of material, that's what they remember.' When I went on to TV, we built it in. The two scriptwriters and I would sit and just throw ideas around, really silly things to say. Sometimes they worked, sometimes they didn't," he said.

Although many entertainers see their earlier work as something of a bind, Francis has nothing but affection for his Crackerjack days.

"Crackerjack was a lot of fun. There was a real feel-good factor to it. You couldn't help but feel upbeat. The cast and crew had smiles on their faces all day long."

The executive producers had Francis in mind when they came up with the idea of a new-format Crackerjack, and his fresh, funny charm is often credited with saving the show from the scrapheap.

For now, Francis is happy to have fun playing Buttons. Having worked with some members of the cast and crew before, the entertainer is looking forward to a great atmosphere at rehearsals, and is also anticipating the benefits of performing near home over Christmas.

He said: "Usually, I only get to spend Christmas day at home. But this year I get the whole thing and I can be part of the build-up - getting the house ready, putting the tree up."

It will also give him some time to reflect on comedians who have followed in his footsteps.

"I think Peter Kay is a breath of fresh air - he's really following what the entertainers of my generation did," he said.

Cinderella is at the Albert Halls, Bolton, between December 2 to January 8. Tickets are available from £6.50 from the box office on 01204 334400.