Del Monte man’s in Dad’s Army now

But to have fingers in the pies of three instantly recognisable symbols of our time is little short of phenomenal.

That is what has happened to British actor Brian Jackson.

Next week, Brian will be on stage at Lighthouse in Poole as part of the cast of Dad's Army - the Lost Episodes, the extremely funny follow-on to the original cult hit British sitcom.

He will be taking the role of Private Godfrey, the mild-mannered bumbler played by Arnold Ridley in the original. But for many people of a certain age, Brian will be instantly recognisable as the man from Del Monte', who strode through adverts for tinned fruit and juice in his pristine suit and creamy Panama hat and eventually, of course, said Yes!' The phrase, first heard in the 1980s, was adopted by the masses and is still in use to this day.

"Getting that ad was an enormous thing for me, because it was screened in 32 countries and translated into 29 languages," said Brian, in suitably well-modulated Del Monte tones.

"It was very funny, really, because the different countries interpreted the advert in different ways. The original tagline was say yes to the best', so in Italy they made it sound all macho and sexy while in Japan, it was rattled out like an order - you will eat it and you will like it!' Brian, who started his working life as a photographer for the Royal Navy, is relishing his return to uniform, albeit on stage in a comedy scenario.

"The show is going really well," he said. "The audience are loving it night after night and when all the top quotes come out, like Don't tell him, Pike' and We're all doomed' the audience goes wild, clapping and cheering.

"We did quite a long run up at the Lowry in Salford at Christmas, and people were coming to see us as an alternative to panto. There were people of all ages there and they loved it."

Dad's Army - the Lost Episodes works on the premise that there are a number of episodes that were erased by the BBC.

There are four incidents pushed together to make the two halves of the show. In one, Capt Mainwaring is demoted to the rank of Private while grumpy Scot Fraser becomes a megalomaniac Lance-Corporal. In another, the guard work together to ensure that Private Walker - here played by Leslie Grantham - escapes being drafted into the regular Army. To do so, they make him walk everywhere so that he gets flat feet.

The end result is an extremely funny and warm-hearted tribute to one of the BBC's most popular and quotable comedies.

"I am surprised by the width of the audiences," said Brian. "People who saw the TV show the first time round are coming and bringing their children and grandchildren and they all seem to think it's wonderful."

As well as appearing on stage and television, Brian was also present at the birth of one of the most iconic pieces of British film music.

His large studio complex in Marble Arch, a converted Victorian school, was used by a number of high-profile musicians who liked the sound provided by its high ceilings and spacious rooms.

At that time a little-known Greek composer called Vangelis was looking for somewhere to record his latest tracks but with little luck.

"I didn't really want to get involved," remembers Brian, "but one day my secretary brought me one of his discs in for me to listen to because she thought it was rather good.

"I listened to it and agreed with her so we offered him studio space for his recording. One Friday afternoon I heard him on the piano so I stuck my head round the corner - he always left his door open - to hear him playing and he asked if I liked what I heard. I said Yes', but could you perhaps play it on different instruments.

"So he did, and it worked and that was it - the famous theme music for Chariots of Fire, when you see the actors running along the beach."

Dad's Army - the Lost Episodes is at Lighthouse in Poole from Monday to Saturday, March 10 to 15 with performances at 7.30pm and 2.30pm. Call 08700 668701 for ticket prices, bookings and full details.