Johnny Vegas ('A Bedtime Story')

All-round funnyman Johnny Vegas has had his finger in various comedy pies over the years: the cannabis-flavoured Ideal, Shooting Stars (which has since been revived without him), and award-winning ITV series Benidorm. Making a dramatic departure from his comedic roots, Vegas is now venturing into the world of children's television. Eager to find out more about his change in direction, we called JV for a quick chat.

So, what are you getting up to with Nick Jr?
"I've been in reading 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' for their Bedtime Stories. I went in and took my little lad Michael and it just confirmed all his worst fears that all I do is go in and muck about for a living!"

Was it your son who made you want to get involved?
"No, we've been commissioned to make a series for the BBC - Dead Puppets Society - and we were involved in that and it was handy to go in and see how a lot of other television is made. Melinda Messenger has done one too - she was in the morning before me. It's a gentler string to the bow."

Yeah - it's a bit of a departure for you...
"Well, you sort of watch a lot more children-oriented TV and it was good to go in and get them to explain it all to you in the studio. They told me I had to practice my reading if that's what I wanted to do for a living. I've always said that with kids' TV that people get stuck in it from drama school but that's not fair because I know myself that when you go in creatively, kids are so much more open to ideas. You're so much freer to mess about and try things."

Any chance of you reviving Zig & Zag for Dead Puppets Society?
"Obviously Zig & Zag were such big characters at the time - the pressure is on to come up with something really good. I don't know - you know what puppeteers are like! We've got to create quite a big cast for this and we're in such early stages. I wouldn't put money on it! It's due for delivery in 2011."

Have you heard anything about a new series of Benidorm?
"We've not, no. They all know I've got the biggest gob so I'm probably kept in the dark more than anyone else! It's completely in the hands of ITV and Derren. From the people who come up to us in the street, it looks like people are completely devoted! Some ask how a group of people can keep going back to one place for a holiday but the fans won't have it - they love it!"

What do you think is in store for The Oracle if you go for a fourth run?
"You've no idea really until the scripts come in. I had no idea at the end of the second series that I'd be going on a date with Tim Healy! The mind boggles!"

What did you make of the Shooting Stars reboot earlier this year?
"I caught a couple of episodes and it broke my heart because I thought the new guy was really funny! It's one of those shows that is so much fun and I'd be a liar if I lied - there's a bit of me sitting there going, 'I wanna be in the studio!' But it moves on."

Would you consider going back for a stint?
"Yeah I'd always go back. When I first started, those folks made me sit up and think 'I really want to do comedy as a career'. They've been in touch with me but I'm off doing my own thing and they're off doing their thing. There's not any bitterness and I wish them good luck in whatever they do - I just wish they'd involve me!"

You were tipped to be on Strictly this year. Why did that not happen?
"They made some enquiries but to be honest, it's such a big commitment to do the show and I really was just so busy with other things and I just know health-wise... Well, would it be good for ratings - me keeling over?! I know how tiring it is and it's not something I have time to do at the moment, but it's nice to be asked! I think they were looking for this season's John Sergeant and I think they thought they'd found that in me!"

Maybe I'm A Celebrity... next year?
"No! No, no, no! Not really mate! The idea of being on TV 24 hours a day and people seeing the real me... No."

Johnny Vegas reads on the new series of A Bedtime Story With Arnie and Barnie on Nick Jr tonight at 7.15pm.