AL Jolson showman extraordinaire Clive Baldwin says he first noticed a backlash against his act from the politically correct lobby in 1988.

He describes sharing the Broadway stage with a Michael Jackson impersonator, who looked at Clive in disgust as he blacked-up ready for the show.

Clive realised that playing a black man was no longer a laughing matter.

Ten years ago, when Clive played the Sunderland Empire, more than 2,000 Jolson fans packed the place out. When he arrives there on Sunday, at the end of a UK tour, he will be greeted by just 300 people.

Is this a reflection of an essentially racist act that has no place in modern Britain?

"It's not a racist thing," he said. "The tradition of theatre is supported by those who remember it from their earlier days.

"I think the simple fact there are not enough people anymore who remember Al Jolson the first time round is denting the audience numbers, nothing else."

Clive, 67, was fascinated with Jolson from an early age and quickly learned to copy his idol.

In the early 1960s, he moved to Miami Beach, Florida, and established himself as a Jolson soundalike with few rivals.

Clive's accent is a real hybrid - like New York comedian Jackie Mason fighting to make himself heard over Geoffrey Boycott. He calls it Hull Jolson.

But does he ever find his own personality disappearing?

"Not for one second. I am always Clive Baldwin from Hull - 24 hours a day. I've never been frustrated that I wasn't Al Jolson.

"Why would I want to be? I live in Miami Beach and I've had a great life."