Some entertainers just don't lose their love of the stage even at the age of (nearly) 80 and after six decades in showbusiness.

Barry Cryer is much more than an entertainer, though he is certainly that.

The writer, broadcaster, raconteur, comedian and all round talent had a very appreciative audience in the palm of his hands at the Regent Centre in Christchurch.

He delivered a procession of jokes and one liners - each one seemingly linked to the next - everything from accountants to elephants, rabbis to trains, frogs to ventriloquists.

The show, in which Cryer was ably assisted on piano and witticisms by Colin Sell, best known for his long service on 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' was interspersed with songs and biographical anecdotes.

His life story and accumulated jokes and one-liners make for a highly entertaining evening. The list of performers Cryer has written for is a who's who of comedy: Allen, Burns, Baxter, Carrott, Cooper, Frost, Hope, Howerd, Milligan and Yarwood among them.

Cryer seemed to make himself laugh quite a lot, which is always a sign that an entertainer is enjoying himself. He clearly didn't want to be left out.