Political journalist and Strictly Come Dancing favourite John Sergeant is heading to The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds

Many people will remember John Sergeant as one of Britain's most popular and respected broadcasters and authors.

His award-winning career as a political journalist has been as lengthy as it has been successful and has seen him interview major political players like Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.

In recent years, John has returned to his first love of light entertainment and can be seen regularly on programmes like The One Show, Have I Got News For You, QI, Room 101 and The News Quiz, and of course there were those appearances on Strictly…. Sergeant’s two left feet approach to the magic of ballroom consistently found him at the bottom of the judges score board, but the public loved him and he retrained week after week.

John will be taking to the road to tell his stories and anecdotes, calling at The Apex on July 3. So, what can the audience expect?

John said: “This is a chance for people to see me as I really am, instead of being ‘someone on TV’.

“I have had an extraordinarily, long and varied career, which has been both exciting and different, from covering wars and politics with the BBC and later being political editor of ITV, right through to a much-talked about appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.

After surviving until the 10th week, with my dance partner Kristina Rihanoff, I resigned because, as I said at the time, there was a real danger that I might win; and even for me that would be a joke too far.”

Over the years, what is the most important lesson John has learned?

The most surprising conclusion I have reached is that looking back you realise you gain more from your mistakes than from your endlessly thought out plans.

It is by taking advantage of sudden changes and chances that boost your career. You win the biggest rewards when things go wrong and you have to cope with the unexpected.

When I mistakenly dropped a plateful of food in front of Margaret Thatcher on a plane going to Moscow it turned into the chance of a lifetime. To learn why, you need to come to the show.

John has been involved in many different kinds of TV programmes, including live coverage of historic events, documentaries, quiz shows and comedies. He even made a guest appearance in Casualty. But which has given him the most satisfaction?

Well, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss any of them. I loved them all. But I have to admit that I really enjoy making people laugh.

When I was young, people laughed when I said I wanted to be a comedian. You may remember the old Bob Monkhouse joke – well, they’re not laughing now – but my childhood dream is still there. And that is one of the aspects of ‘An Audience with…’ I particularly like getting some laughs. It gives me a chance to try out some funny stories. I usually only use a few notes, so I can alter what I am going to say every time.

Will there be the opportunity to ask questions?

Yes, it can sometimes take up half the show and some people say it’s the better half. It can be more interesting, for me and the audience.

TV producers are always keen to introduce what they call ‘jeopardy’ – you don’t know what you are going to be asked and that can be tricky. Often the questions are about politics – still my main interest. Some people know that I was there in Washington when Martin Luther King made his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech. Occasionally, I am asked about my war reporting – “What was your most dangerous assignment?”

I am also asked about the documentaries I have worked on – canal journeys and those involving trains and aircraft. One of my favourite questions is: “What is it like to fly a Spitfire?” But I have to admit that the subject which comes up more than any other is Strictly Come Dancing!”

And what about the future. Is he ready to retire?

No, of course not, I like what I do. If I am asked to do a TV show, appear on the radio, write a piece for a newspaper or give a talk somewhere, I am still very much up for it. As Noel Coward said: “Work is more fun, than fun!”

• John Sergeant is at The Apex on July 3 at 7.30pm. See theapex.co.uk or call 01284 758000