REALITY is not a word that many would associate with Happy Mondays dancer Bez. After all, this is the man who embodied the lyrics to 24 Hour Party People by his legendary band.

Bez and the boys became synonymous with the Madchester ‘baggy’ music scene in the late 80s and early 90s with hits such as Step On, Kinky Afro and Loose Fit. But things are not always what they seem.

The 49-year-old, best known for shaking the maracas with the 1990s group, has turned over a new leaf.

Bez proudly tells me: “I’ve given up all me possessions and been living this nomadic lifestyle where you don’t need money.

“Hanging out with people who have new ideas and contributing to wherever I’m staying at the time.”

Bez, whose real name is Mark Berry, has had more than his fair share of pills, thrills and bellyaches along the way. In 2010, he was convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend and served four weeks in prison, although he still maintains his innocence.

“I got sent to jail and came out in shorts and a vest. I had nothing left to lose. I got asked to get involved in the fracking thing and now I’m currently trying to start a revolution,” says Bez.

Talking to Bez, you get the feeling he’s been asked a million interview questions about his hedonistic rock and roll past.

Get him on the subject of the environment and that thick Manchester accent bristles with enthusiasm.

“I keep bees. I’ve just built 11 hives this weekend and been giving away bees to communities and schools. I also promote a permaculture lifestyle, teaching kids about growing vegetables and how to look after yourself.

“These are important lessons in life. We’re trying to get a new mentality going.”

The ‘we’ Bez refers to is his new political party called The Reality Party. It turns out that politics is a subject that’s close to his heart.

You might very well wonder what kind of manifesto Bez will be promising. Well for starters, the 2005 Celebrity Big Brother winner pledges to end the current banking system, redistribute wealth, and promote a more sustainable environment.

“Confiscate the wealth like they’ve done in Iceland. Replace the government and start all over again.”

The keen beekeeper will be standing as an independent candidate when he contests the safe Labour seat in Salford next year. “We set up a political party called the Reality Party and we’re going to be running in the general election.

“If we don’t do it now, it’ll be too late. We’re walking into a fascist privatised state with no rights and fracking our country. They’re doing a number on us and the quicker people realise, the quicker we can bring it to an end. I’ve been saying we need a revolution for a long time and now I’m planning a true one.”

Politics aside, music is still a massive part of Bez’s life. According to Bez, the rest of the band including best mate Shaun Ryder have been supportive, if not surprised by his political aspirations.

“Shaun always says my life is like living in a cartoon anyway. It might be a cartoon, but at least it’s eventful.”

Strangely Bez is not the first pop star who has ventured into the world of politics. Blur drummer Dave Rowntree stood as the Labour Party candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster seat at the last election - but lost to the Conservatives. And former Fugees frontman Wyclef Jean tried to stand to become president of his native Haiti - but was forced to abandon his bid because he had not lived in the country long enough.

The Forever Sun Festival, now in its second year, begins today and continues until Sunday at the Came Down Estate. Organisers were delighted to sign up the newly-reformed Mondays to perform with their original 90s line-up. Festival organiser David Williams said: “Getting the Mondays to perform was a dream we've had at Forever Sun for quite some time.We just had to wait until they had a free moment after their 25th anniversary tour. And to get punk legends the Buzzcocks as well really creates the vibe we wanted.”