THE stage is a slap-stick free zone as far as Adrian Edmondson is concerned and he leaves comedy well as truly behind him at this Sunday’s Wat Tyler Folk Festival Not quite his character Vyvyan from the Young Ones, who was hell bent on anarchy, Adrian took on punk three years ago and gave it a distinctly folky edge. The combination of folk music and punk covers has proved popular and the band, including Adrian, on vocals and mandolin, Troy Donockley on uillean pipes, cittern, whistles and vocals, and Andy Dinan on fiddle, have been touring since 2008.

Married to comedian Jennifer Saunders, the father-of-three has now carved a niche for himself as a musician. Well known for his roles in the Comic Strip Presents, the Young Ones and Bottom, music has been a revelation to Adrian.

Fans will be able to hear for themselves when the band headline the folk festival in Pitsea.

Adrian says: “I enjoy performing on stage now with the band more than I did in the old days in comedy.

“There is laughter and fun and we aren’t po-faced when performing. It is all very joyous.”

Adrian, now 53, has been getting reacquainted with the festival scene this summer.

He says: “We have played about 20 festivals this year, including Glastonbury. I thought I would hate it, but I really enjoyed being there and performing.”

The band do not want to be seen as just a novelty band. Adrian says: “We are a folk band that happens to play punk songs. We have proper folk musicians and are the real deal.

“I found the combination by accident. We find we never have a bad reception from a crowd.”

The Seventies, when punk first reared its head, were heady days for a young Adrian.

He says: “I remember punk first emerging and it being really exciting. I was in my first year of university and we would go and see all of these fantastic bands, some that would only last a day.

“I saw the Buzzcocks when they were new and thinking they were good.”

When it came to getting on stage himself Adrian never held back.

He started out performing at the Comedy Store with comedians, including Alexei Sayle, Peter Richardson, Nigel Planer and French and Saunders, and they went on to set up their own venue the Comic Strip club.

This led to the Channel 4 show the Comic Strip Presents...

At the same time the BBC signed up Edmondson, Mayall, Richardson, Planer and Sayle to star in the Young Ones.

Adrian says: “I always enjoyed showing off. When we started out in comedy none of us cared whether we made it or not.”

WAT Tyler Country will be bulging with music and activities throughout the day.

There will be free on-site car parking and visitors can take camp chairs, food, soft drinks on-site, but not alcohol.

As well as the music there will be ales, including a wide selection of local real ales, and craft and farmers’ market stalls offering the best in local produce.

The festival takes place on Sunday from 12pm till 7pm.

Advanced tickets cost £12, £8 for concessions and children under five go free.

To buy tickets online, visit www.essex-live.co.uk Tickets are also available from the Wat Tyler Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane. Pitsea and the Towngate Theatre, St Martin’s Square, Basildon or by calling 01268 465 465.