THERE may be a disaster looming in the Floyd household, but genial culinary expert Keith is affability itself.

"Oh hang on, we've got a bit of a crisis!" he suddenly announces, midway through explaining his latest adventure.

It appears that Mrs Floyd is about to set off to Newbury and the car won't start but polite to the last, Keith won't hear of ending the interview on the motor's account.

Keith is chatty and jetlagged, having flown into Heathrow the day before after spending time in Thailand preparing for the launch of his newest restaurant venture.

He is returning to Phuket, where the restaurant is situated, next week and will remain in the Far East until it opens on January 22, 2007.

And before that, he is appearing at Dorchester's Corn Exchange to talk about his amazing, colourful life.

"Floyd Uncorked is an anecdotal thing," he explains. "I don't do any cooking, but I'll talk about my life and the fun I've had and some of the amusing television episodes and other things I have done."

Such as the new Far Eastern eaterie.

"The restaurant, which is in a hotel, will be serving the Floyd spin of Thai food," he laughs. "I love Thai food, especially green prawn sweet and sour soup, and red Thai duck curry - and noodle soups."

Now 63, Keith Floyd has led a busy and varied life. Educated at Wellington School, he joined the army and left to concentrate on a career in catering.

He opened several restaurants, which later folded due to financial problems, and became a well-known and hugely popular television chef and author.

Although not on television as much these days, he keeps busy and his love and knowledge of food remains as strong as ever.

As well as opening a restaurant in Thailand, he is also launching Floyd's Cookery Theatre, a cookery school, in Kendal in the Lake District next year.

"I love food," he says, "and couldn't possible say my favourite dish. When we're in Thailand we eat Thai food, in France we have a Mediterranean diet, in England something traditional, like roast beef. It is great to have such variety."

You can see Keith Floyd Uncorked at 8pm today at Dorchester Corn Exchange. There are still tickets available costing £15 on the door, to include a glass of wine. Call 01305 266926 for details.

THE annual glut of pantomimes really gets into its stride this weekend, with Cinderella playing to packed houses in Weymouth Pavilion (call 01305 783225), Poole Lighthouse (08700 668701) and the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil (01935 422884), while Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood is at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth (0870 111 3000).

Among the stars taking part are former Coronation Street star Sean Wilson as Dandini in Weymouth's Cinderella, while Blue Peter and The Athletes legend Peter Duncan as Dandini in Cinderella in Poole. Pete Hillier from CBBC is in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood.