80 dates planned for spring

Lee Evans is going back on the road in March.

The comic turned Hollywood star has revealed that he plans around 80 live dates across the UK, although details have not yet been finalised.

He said: "I'm looking forward to going back to what I call 'the gym'.

"I think stand-up touring is my first love but it is just so tiring and scary. In fact ,my pants are full just thinking about it."

Evans broke the news in a webchat with The Sun, in which he also revealed that he has turned down a second series of the critically slated sitcom So What Now.

"They said maybe I should give it a chance, but I can't handle criticism," he said.

"We sold it to about 30 countries so I think I made their money back. I don't think they are too annoyed.

"I love the BBC but I let them down. I felt really bad.

"I should take more control over my work and not let other people interfere. That's my problem, I'm too polite."

Evans, who recently turned down a £600,000 deal to advertise crips, was talking to promote his new film, The Martins.

And he said the transition from stand-up to movies wasn't quite as effortless as it seemed.

"The truth of it is I spent many years working improv and at the Comedy Store in L.A. and Caroline's in New York," he said.

Published: 21 Sep 2001