Fresh from wowing New York audiences during a four-month run of Lesley Jordan: My Trip Down The Pink Carpet, the award-winning funny man is set to tickle London’s West End in the new year.

And for a sneaky taster of what’s in store, London’s press descended on a mini pink paradise at Soho’s Groucho club on Thursday afternoon. Pink champagne flowed through the room, complimented by miniature salmon bagels that went down a treat. All very apt.

Following an entertaining introduction from talk show host Paul O’Grady (quipping he had arrived directly from the student riots), Jordan stepped on the platform to tell the eager crowd about his unique journey. From small town USA to the pink carpet of Hollywood, the show covers comically overwrought childhood agonies, tales of celebrity encounters, gay culture, learning to love onesself and beating alcohol dependency – an autobiographical ‘no-holds-barred’ exposé, if you like.

Jordan (pictured right with a rather tickled me) made his name on hit sitcom Will & Grace as Beverley Leslie, a role he says was originally penned for Joan Collins.

The eccentric star explained an episode had been written where Collins’ character gets into “a big Dynasty bitch-fight” with Karen Walker, played by Megan Mullally. An hilarious confrontation over a billiard table would result in both women’s wigs being ripped off.

When Ms Collins’ manager refused “they fired her ass” screamed Jordan, making room for him to steal the show. One gets the feeling there’s an never-ending stream of anecdotes to come.

Sharing a sofa with Dame Julie Walters and singer Katy Perry on Paul O’Grady Live on Friday night, Jordan joked “I’ve been baptised fourteen times – it never worked!”

Still, there seems to be no smell of gin or regret with this comic spitfire.

Leslie Jordan: My Trip Down The Pink Carpet opens on 3rd February 2011 at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

- Phil Matthews

Watch Leslie Jordan’s interview on Paul O’Grady Live now:-