Hold the front page. Les Dennis won’t talk about his personal life.

Coming from the man who sobbed openly about his wife Amanda Holden’s infidelities on Celebrity Big Brother and then published a kiss-and-tell autobiography, this is astounding news.

“Pardon?,” I stutter, hoping I’d misheard him.

He pauses and then says slowly but firmly: “I don’t want to talk about my personal life if you don’t mind.” This is akin to Jordan refusing implants or Dawn French going on a diet. It’s the end of an era.

Because Les Dennis, 56, has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Until now... which can only mean one thing – he’s finally happy and fulfilled.

Because he has of course remarried since the “there are three people in our marriage” days, when as a washed-up TV game show host and cuckold, he was understandably depressed.

But now, with a new baby, a lovely third wife and a successful musical to publicise, he’s turned himself around, relaunched his career and gone schtum into the bargain.

“I’m a survivor, that’s what I’m best at,” he smiles, “and you need to be ready to keep changing, because let’s face it, it’s a changing world, and that’s what you need to expect. TV is different now, and I should know that because I was a young presenter once.”

But it must be hard for him to keep his head down though because he’s well... Les Dennis. “Yes, most people know who I am,” he chuckles. “Although I do still get mistaken for Keith Chegwin and Bobby Davro.

“But the great thing about High School Musical 2, is that the kids at the stage door don’t want me – they want Becky or Liam, and they don’t have any preconceptions about me.”

What he means is that they don’t know about his past, which suits him down to the ground.

So what was the turn-around moment? “Well Ricky Gervais’ Extras episode was a gift and some people thought it was mean, but I was comfortable at taking the mickey out of myself and it meant I was on the cover of the Radio Times with Samuel L Jackson and Ben Stiller.”

It also gave him the kudos to get back on stage and start landing some decent parts again. “All the way through my 15 years as host of Family Fortunes, I spent all my spare time on stage and loved the challenge of taking on different roles. So in my last play I played a world weary husband - the irony! - and next I’m playing the pantomime dame in my home town of Liverpool.”

Currently in the stage version of High School Musical 2, in which he plays Mr Fulton, coming to Oxford’s New Theatre this month, Les is loving every minute of it.

“Well usually kids glaze over when I tell them what I’m doing,” he laughs, “but when I say I’m in HSM2 they are really excited and want to come and see it, for a change. And the audience reaction is astonishing. It’s like being on stage at a rock concert.

“You need so much energy I need a lie down afterwards.”

With two children, one 29 (by his first wife) and his second 16 months (by his third), the HSM phenomenon had largely passed Les by, until his agent contacted him and said they were interested in him playing a part.

“I watched the film and said yes immediately,” Les tells me.

But, it must be hard touring? “No, because my family come with me if I can’t drive back from a venue.

“And my wife is a very positive person. But having had the whole summer off with my little girl, it’s nice to be back at work. It’s what I do.”

High School Musical 2 Live On Stage runs at the New Theatre from September 21-26. 08448 471588 or newtheatreoxford.org.uk