Ever since his “triple whammy” of success in the early 1970s – when he was starring in both a West End show and a hit movie and was top of the American charts – David Essex has enjoyed a varied career.

In recent years the singer, songwriter and actor has ruffled feathers in EastEnders, as bad guy Eddie Moon, and won acclaim in theatreland with All The Fun Of The Fair, a bittersweet musical featuring some of his best-known songs, from Gonna Make You A Star to Winter’s Tale.

Now he’s back on the road, taking a “candid journey” through his 40-year career. The concert tour, coming to Bradford next month, is his first in three years.

Fans can expect hits, including Hold Me Close, Silver Dream Machine and Rock On, and new material. “I’ve always looked forward, I don’t wallow in nostalgia,” says David. “I’m getting a lifetime achievement award from the Royal Variety Club at the end of this month, which is great, but for me the focus has always been new projects and writing.”

Even when he was the twinkly-eyed dreamboat pouting from behind his black curls in Jackie magazine, it seems fame and fortune weren’t top priorities.

“It was never my plan to be a teen idol,” smiles David. “I started in blues bands when I was 15 – I was the drummer hiding behind the cymbals. By the time fame came along I’d worked in the business for a decade, then suddenly I was being mobbed. After gigs I’d be marched off stage by security to a hotel suite with screams ringing in my ears. It took some getting used to.”

As anyone who has seen David Essex live will know, to say he has a loyal army of fans would be an understatement. Crowds of women flock to the stage, swooning at his feet like lovesick schoolgirls.

“I never take it for granted,” he says. “I know people want the hits, and that’s important because they’re songs they grew up with. It’s great to look down and see three generations in the audience. I have Eddie Moon to thank for that.”

David was in EastEnders for much of last year and describes the experience as “fast and furious”.

“There’s a quick turnaround, so little rehearsal and so much filming. The quality of acting is incredible,” he says. “One day I had 28 pages of dialogue. If you can do EastEnders you can do anything.”

After starring in Godspell in 1971, David was cast by movie producer David Puttnam in That’ll Be The Day, alongside Ringo Starr, and the sequel, Stardust.

He wrote and starred in the musical Mutiny and created the role of Che in the original 1978 production of Evita. When his pop career took off, the boy who grew up working on fairgrounds became the nation’s number one pin-up.

During a previous interview, David told me he wished he’d savoured his success more.

“I was filming That’ll Be The Day in Manchester and had just finished a night shoot with Keith Moon. We got back to the hotel to learn I was number one in America. Keith insisted on ordering champagne, saying The Who had never managed to do what I’d just achieved,” he said. “I never relished my success when it was happening.”

He recently completed a film called Traveller. “It’s about someone who’s half-gipsy, trying to adjust to the 21st century. I play the patriarch of a clan. I’m proud of it,” he says. Maybe the man of many talents is finally learning to appreciate his achievements.

<li> David Essex is at St George’s Hall on Thursday, November 15. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.