The fabulous Hairy Bikers are back to talk all about their travels

If they've time, they may nip to a local cafe for some grey peas and bacon, or, if that's not on the menu, for a helping of faggots and peas – the district's original take away.

The Hairy Bikers are huge fans of regional dishes and the culture they represent, so when they visit Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on Sunday, you can expect them to enjoy a slice of Black Country cuisine.

Si King, the younger of the two, says: "Dave and I approach food from very different ways. Tastes and provenance have always been massively important but, for me, a huge component of regional cuisine is the local culture.

"I've always been interested in the history of dishes and how they came to be popular.

"It works well between the two of us because we can celebrate culture and taste."

The Hairy Bikers will bring their new show to Wolverhampton, which is called Larger Than Live.

It follows their sell-out UK tour of 2010, which thrilled tens of thousands of people around the UK.

Their new tour promises to be bigger, bolder, funnier, and packed with more food and laughs than ever before.

Si said: "We've really pulled out all the stops because the budget's got bigger. I don't think we'll make any money out of it, but we'll have a lot of fun.

"The last tour was largely autobiographical but this time it's all based on the travels. It's great, man.

"You can expect dancing like the tango, escapology, two 15 minute segments of cooking, where we cook for the audience.

"There'll also be a wheel of fortune, some clips that people haven't seen before and a few back stories. There'll be smoke, lights, a great stage and a big, big production.

"It's an all-singing, all-dancing show. To be honest, I think it will be pretty hard for people to get their heads around.

"If you look at what we're doing, it's a really varied programme, it's more about being entertaining and giving people a fun evening than it is about the food. We'll be doing all sorts of daft things."

The Hairy Bikers have become national staples: though they are as surprised about that as anyone.

They didn't have a masterplan when they began, they simply put a few ideas to TV exec friends to see whether they might be able to make a few programmes.

Si added: "It's been an organic process because Dave and I have always been friends.

"We realised while sitting over a pint in the pub that we were doing double the work of presenters for half of the money. We hadn't had a pay rise in 15 years so we came up with an idea for a show."

The rest, as they say, is history.

By Andy Richardson

* Tickets are available from the venue, priced £23.50, at www.wolvescivic.co.uk or by calling 0870 320 7000.