Doreen Tipton talks ahead of Midlands dates and Wolverhampton panto return

Her Grand Night Out is making its final run, her autumn show, Rise Of The Yam-Yam, is selling quicker than scratchings at a Dudley pub and she'll be back in panto at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

Happily, we tracked her down to Tipton – where else – to find out more about her remarkable year. This is how things went . . .

Doreen, first of all, congratulations on receiving two prestigious awards in the space of a week – Best Newcomer in the Great British Panto Awards in London, and then What's On readers voted you Midlands Entertainment Personality of the Year. How does it feel to be a winner?

"The panto award was a lovely surprise, and I got to meet Christopher Big Ones (Christopher Biggins), who is world-famous in tights. I couldn't remember anything that had happened the previous two months during the show, but I must have done something right.

"And the second award from What's On was even more incredible, because of who I was up against. It's an honour to be thought of in the same breath as the other four finalists. Julie Walters is a personal favourite of mine because I'm a big fan of the Harry Potplant films, Bev Knight is a musical legend, and the bloke from Citizen Khan is apparently on the telly in a BBC comedy that they're really proud of, so I'm assuming he must be funny. I hadn't heard of Sir Lenny Henry, but he's obviously one to watch. So yes, I feel blessed to have beaten them hands-down."

What celebrations did you enjoy following the announcements? A packet of cheese and onion and half a Batham's, or something more exotic: a Desperate Dan pie and a pint of Lumphommer?

"Actually, I never drink on duty. Thankfully I'm never on duty, so it worked out well."

What are you working on at the moment?

"Working is probably too strong a word, but I have got several projects on the go. I'm currently in the middle of doing a short Spring tour with some final Grand Night Out shows for them that missed it first time around. Then I'm having a lie-down. We'll then be touring with a brand new show for autumn: Doreen: Rise of the Yam-Yam which is going to be epic. And along the way I'm filming a new DVD documentary called Doreen's Black Country where I tour around the area and meet some wonderful characters. I'm hoping it will be a funny and very affectionate account of our native land."

When you were growing up in Tipton, did you for a moment imagine you'd become an iconic local hero? Is there a sense of destiny about the rise and rise of the Yam-Yam?

"I'm not sure what iconic means, but if it means something nice, then yes. For too long the Black Country has lived in the shadow of neighbouring Brum, which itself has lived in the shadow of London. Nobody was taking us seriously. I hope that, through my comedy, I can finally get people to stop laughing at us."

From here, we imagine a move into politics. Will you be standing for the local council, as an MP, or seeking election as the President of another country?

"I was recently offered a job as President Trumpet's hod carrier, but at my age I thought better of it. Actually I have considered forming the Yam-Yam Party, and putting some common-sense policies in place, such as making people who break the law pay for their prison food and accommodation."

And what if they can't afford it?

"If they can't afford it, they can sell their house, like old folk have to in order to afford their care home. What's the difference? Except one's a criminal and the other isn't. I'm seriously considering becoming a tax-payer, so I can complain about how the Government spends my money. Perhaps if I do go into politics I'll start small. Isn't the West Midlands after a new Mayor?"

Do you fancy the job?

"Oh . . . is it a job? No then."

The vast riches that your success will have brought will have to be invested wisely, we imagine. Will you be buying property in Tipton, like The Wreck? Or will you invest in 'osses?

"So far I've invested everything into scratchcards, which offer the biggest return on your outlay. I think the scratchcard idea should be rolled out to welfare generally. For example, instead of the Government paying you housing benefit directly, which is boring, you could have a month's rent as one of the scratchcard prizes, or some child benefit, or a week's free jobseekers, and then have lots of smaller prizes of things like multi-packs of crisps, or Pringles, and lucky bags for the kids. It would also be a great way for Government to control welfare spending, so that none of it is wasted on gambling."

And finally, Doreen, have you got a message for your fans?

"Ta."

Doreen would like to make it clear that when it comes to politics, her views don't necessarily reflect her views.

By Andy Richardson