IT'S not often you can honestly say you have caught one of Britain's most popular actresses while she is taking a break from pole dancing, writes John Anson.

But that's exactly the case as I call Vicki Michelle, currently touring the UK in the hit stage comedy, The Naked Truth, which plays Lancaster's Grand Theatre on Thursday (June 16, 8pm).

The raunchy comedy is set in a pole dancing exercise class and tells the stories of the women who attend each week - and it's going down a storm with audiences all over the country.

"It is a feelgood, fun show," said Vicki, probably still best known for playing sex-crazed waitress Yvette in the classic TV comedy Allo Allo.

"It is about six women coming together and their stories of what’s happened to them,” she said.

"This show clearly connects to the audience. It makes you laugh and even cry as it’s a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions right the way through. But they are all characters that people really warm to."

Although the show is billed as "a woman thing" it has attracted a mixed audience.

"We have had quite lot of men coming along and I think they have been surprised that they have enjoyed it so much," said Vicki.

"We can see at the start that some have been dragged along by their partners but by the end they are often the ones cheering the loudest.

"The show is about what women talk about. Men don’t talk to each other in the same way.

"And I think one of the reasons men enjoy it so much is that it shows them a completely different side."

Vicki believes the show's realistic storylines are due to writer Dave Simpson.

"He hung out with lots of women on girls nights out and listened to what they talking about," said Vicki

"It is a little raunchy but that’s very realistic. There are a couple of scene which I can’t wait to get every night because I know the audience is going to get hysterical - and they do."

One added bonus for Vicki is that the production also features her own daughter Louise, who plays the pole dancing instructor Gaby.

"I play Sarah who has had cancer so that’s that my journey," said Vicki, "and Louise is Gaby the teacher who has had her own journey bringing up her son on her own.

"As the teacher she’s had to learn pole dancing. I cannot tell you how difficult pole dancing is. I’ve done loads of different exercise classes but for pole dancing you have to have such upper body strength.

"It doesn’t really matter what I do in the class but as she plays the instructor so she has to look the part. I think that she’s done amazingly well to get to the standard she has."

Vicki is clearly proud of her Louise's achievement but can't let her maternal pride kick in during the show.

"When Louise is on stage she is her character and I’m my character," she said. "The only time she becomes Louise is at the end of the show when I have my back to the audience and I'm watching her - that’s when I’m so proud.

"Off stage we're having a great time. She’s my only child and we are also best mates as well, so it’s fantastic having someone to talk to and do things with."

The Naked Truth also stars Faye Tozer from chart toppers Steps.

"Everyone is brilliant in the show," said Vicki. "It's is a joy to be in."

The Naked Truth ends its 10-week UK tour in July but the work doesn’t stop for Vicki.

She said: “I did a play, Hello Norman Jeane, about Marilyn Monroe. It’s a brilliant script based on the idea that Marilyn Monroe faked her own death in 1962 and that she has been living in Essex for 40 years.

“Now she’s decided to go back to American to show she’s still alive. She’s hidden things all over American to prove her identity and the audience have to decide if she is nuts or if she is telling the truth.

“It was fantastic to do on stage and now the writers are putting together a script for television and so we’re going to do a pilot of that and hopefully that will get taken up.”

Given that she's had success on stage, on TV and in film, does Vicki have a particular favourite?

"I love all aspects of my career," she said. "I consider myself so lucky to be working, so whatever it is I enjoy it. My job is what makes me happy and hopefully I make other people happy too."

For tickets for the June 16 Grand Theatre show telephone the box office on 01524-64695.

The Naked Truth also plays The Brindley, Runcorn, Wednesday, June 22 (details on 0151-907-8360) and Stockport Plaza, Friday and Saturday, June 24/25 (0161-477-7779).