THERE are highs and lows - quite literally - when you play the lead role in Barnum.

In one scene, Brian Conley, whose touring the country as the celebrated showman, he has to walk a tightrope to meet his character's love interest.

Actors are said to suffer for their art and this likeable entertainer has been known to take a tumble before now. But audiences are always sympathetic said a man with a very engaging personality.

Brian said:

"Sometimes I fall off and I have to get back up and go on again. The more I fall off and try to get across the louder the applause."

When he was offered the part in this thrills filled, spectacular show it was an offer he simply couldn't refuse, uniting him with the first musical he saw in the West End.

Then there was the producer, of course, the chance to work with the theatrical heavyweight Sir Cameron Macintosh.

Brian said: "When you get asked by Sir Cameron you know it's going to be something special and they're not going to skimp or cut any corners. It's just going to be a huge production, which it is. I was honoured to be asked to play PT Barnum. He's a showman, I'm a bit of a showman. It's a challenge and they do say its one of the most challenging roles you'll take on in musical theatre. You've got to bring to it so many different things - everything from singing to stilt walking."

There is, however, more to Brian Conley than musicals. Later this month the affable Londoner can be seen on the new BBC programme The TV That Made Me, in which he chats to a string of celebrities about their favourite shows. Famous names to take a trip down memory lane Growing up, he has fond memories of tuning in to Captain Scarlet and Colditz.

Brian said it was an emotional experience for some of his interviewees, including Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph.

He said: "When I spoke to Lesley Joseph she was saying how much it moved her when the Kennedy assassination happened and watching that on the TV. Then she started talking about a mini series called David Copperfield and we played the beginning of it and she burst into tears.

"She said it took me back - she said I remember my father who's now not with us and us all sitting on the sofa watching this."

* The Lowry presents Barnum from August 4-8 at 7.30pm. The run includes matinees and tickets are available from 0843 208 6000 or thelowry.com.