IT’S early morning, but Christopher Biggins answers his telephone with the same enthusiasm he uses on the pantomime stage.

With that signature laugh, he cheerily explains the secrets of his successful career and why charity fundraising is so important to him.

The TV star and all-round national treasure is being honoured tomorrow by the Wessex Variety Club with a special tribute lunch at the Devere Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth.

As you’d expect, the lunch is set to be a glamorous affair attended by showbiz friends such as Barbara Windsor, Esther Rantzen, Ed Stewart, Bobby Davro and a host of other well known faces.

Having won the celebrity version of TV cooking show Come Dine With Me this year, Biggins knows a thing or two about hosting a dinner party “Well it’s the company without a doubt. I always put food about third on the list. For me it’s the people that mean the most,” says Christopher Biggins, 61.

The Variety Club tribute lunch to Biggins is hoping to raise £35,000 to equip a new Children's High Dependency Unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

A place close to Christopher’s heart, as he spent his childhood in Salisbury and his family still live there.

“I know the south coast very well. Sandbanks, Mudeford and Bournemouth were all destinations we would go as a child. All of that area is very important to me.”

With a career that spans over 40 years with starring roles in popular TV shows such as Porridge, Whatever happened To The Likely Lads? and Some Mother’s Do ‘Ave ‘Em.

Christopher Biggins prides himself on being able to use his celebrity status to raise money for charity.

“I’ve got too many friends, so I’m always doing things for charity. I’ve had a great career and been very lucky to be able to put something back.”

“I’ve raised millions and millions and I’m very good at doing auctions if I say so myself. It’s very enjoyable.”

Biggins is well known for his performances in pantomime, most often playing the dame. Although in Christmas 2007 he failed to perform on stage for the first time in 38 years due to appearing in I’m a Celebrity... Get me Out Of Here. Although to be fair, he did win.

“I’m very pro shows like the X-Factor, because there’s a lot of people on there who would never normally get the chance to prove they have talent. A good 10 per cent have amazingly good talent.”

“When I got into the industry 40 years ago there was money around. Now we’re looking at TV companies, even the BBC who doesn’t seem to have any money to make programmes, which is very sad. I don’t think theatre has changed that much and it’s still going strong with people enjoying it.”