IN 1997 stand-up Dave Thompson hit the headlines when he was controversially sacked from a BBC programme.

What was his crime? Leaving lewd messages on a national treasure’s anwerphone? Demanding an eye-watering salary a couple of million too high to be considered reasonable?

No, the comedian lost his role as handbag-carrying Teletubby Tinky Winky after he “interpreted the role incorrectly” amid an international scandal that the character might be gay, sparking outrage from some corners of the world.

But Thompson denies the accusations, led by US evangelical fundamentalist Jerry Falwell.

He told me: “The whole thing about Tinky Winky being camp came from the fact he had a red handbag – all the Teletubbies have got a favourite toy.

“The idea is they found these objects and chose one and they played with it. Adults are projecting adult sexuality on to a children’s cuddly toy.”

The comedian says he drew on masters of comedy to give Tinky Winky his graceful movement in contrast with his big body.

He explains: “Laurel and Hardy picked up on the humour of a big, fat person being very graceful.

“If big, fat Oliver Hardy had been clumping around and banging into things it wouldn’t have been as funny, but they knew if they did a little dance it was funny because of the incongruity of a big, fat body with graceful movements. So that’s what I did.”

Despite the fact it was a children’s TV show, Thompson says Ragdoll Productions, which made the programme, were the toughest he’s worked for.

He says: “Even though it’s kids’ TV, it’s still TV and TV’s a brutally ruthless business.”

The controversy continues to haunt Thompson. Despite the worldwide popularity of the show, in Kazakhstan the Teletubbies are banned by order of the president, who Thompson says, considers Tinky Winky to be a pervert.

The stand-up and actor is no stranger to the screen – he’s worked with comedian, writer and good friend Ben Elton as well as comedy giant Harry Hill.

“They’re both godfathers to my two little girls,” he says. “Ben and I were best friends when we were 16 doing A-level theatre studies.

“As he became famous we stayed in touch and he employs me as a writer and a performer. It’s nice because I still know the original Ben, who is a very nice, very generous person He’s not at all flash and he was never in it for the money. He’s just a normal bloke.”

Thompson will be compering the new Laughter Castle night in Wickford tomorrow and he’s looking forward to testing out the new waters.

He says: “It’s probably quite fresh. It’s the first night, so it’s not like a regular night that’s been going for years. It’ll be a new audience discovering comedy, who maybe didn’t realise just how funny ordinary stand-ups are, not just the ones on TV.”

Describing his style, he says: “I play up my stupidity, so I’m like a man who doesn’t really know where he is. I think I’m completely normal, but the world around me thinks I’m a bit weird.

“I’ve got one-line jokes and I’m sort of a comedian’s comedian, far more appreciated by comedians than by critics and the public.”

Thompson has branched out into new territory with a novel. The Sex Life of a Comedian, due out in April, tells the story of a comedian who gets a job wearing a purple suit in a kids’ TV show before getting the sack. visit www.facebook.com/funny davethompson

Dave Thompson comperes tomorrow’s Laughter Castle gig at Bar Plazma, High Street, Wickford. There will be turns from James Redmond (Finn from Hollyoaks) Mike Gunn and Bob Mills. Dave Thompson is MC. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are £10. Call 01268 765050.