You have been working in Branson, Missouri performing with the Osmonds. What has that been like?

This opportunity has brought me three exciting elements.

My debut in America

Working with The Osmonds

Performing in Andy Williams Personal theatre - he built in the Moon River Theatre.

It's everything I hoped it would be and more, I open both halves of this incredible show to large audiences from 1,500 to 2,200 per night and they are fantastic audiences.

They certainly get they're money's worth as Jimmy and his brothers have over 50 years of experience in variety from stage to television and they know what works. Thankfully they got it right with me too

How did you become involved with Jimmy and the Osmonds?

Jimmy's UK promoter emailed me and offered me the UK Tour and later that day Jimmy Osmond called me to offer the USA Tour and residency.

Britain's Got Talent has opened many doors for me, it has done exactly what I planned. Jimmy found me on YouTube, most of my work goes through my website, thestevehewlett show.com and YouTube

How have you found American audiences? Do they react differently to you than UK ones?

UK and USA audiences are very different, I'm pleased to say I'm very well received in America. You have to work that little bit harder back home, but I know how to after 20 years as a professional.

You're back in the UK with the Osmonds for Christmas. What can we expect from the show?

You can expect a fast pace entertaining show from a talented band and singers, fab dancers, an incredible drum and sax solo from Jay Osmond, stunning vocals from Merrill and Jimmy and I have a surprise up my sleeve which I'm not doing in the U.S. where Jimmy may join me on stage.

The Brothers medley and Osmonds Tribute has to be seen. It's incredible and earns a standing ovation here in the States as does the beautiful Salute to Andy Williams in the finale.

It would be great to see the whole family at the show. There are no age restriction as everyone will enjoy this talent

Thanks to BGT, you became a star overnight and yet you had been working in the business for many years. Did you ever expect your life to change so rapidly?

I've been lucky to choose a genre of showbiz that was a dying art and there were not many of us but I haven't stopped working for the last 20 years.

After BGT I was ready thanks to my experience in the past. It's just that the venues have changed. I may have not been invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen or perform at the Royal Albert Hall with Kenny G or invited on to Strictly Come Dancing as a guest if it weren't for The TV Talent show.

It's the biggest show on TV and I loved being on it and don't regret it for a moment.

How did you start with ventriloquism?

I was taught by another talent show ventriloquist. new Faces of 1987 Winner Jimmy Tamley.

He lived in my town and I become his roadie and apprentice and best mate

Apart from you and Nina Conti there aren't that many high profile ventriloquists around. Would you like to see more coming through?

There still aren't many of us out there but I have always helped out the young vents wanting to learn. I've seen many kids sat in the front row of my theatre tours with puppets on their hand. I'm happy to be an inspiration and after BGT replied to many parents who thanked me for passing on advice.

It's the dovetailing of great puppets with a clever script which singles you out. When you write do you have the puppets in mind?

Writing material is the hardest thing when putting the show together. I get an idea for a character write some material then get him made up and that's when you complete the script and test it out on stage.

It takes a while to add a new dummy to be in the show.

I've had one in my garage about 10 years and he's just started to appear in my shows in 2016

Do you have a favourite puppet/character?

Arthur Lager always. He gets away with a lot which I like.

You actually got to 'operate' Archie Andrews – what was that like?

The Archie project was fun, paying tribute to one of the most famous ventriloquists around in the 1950s and 60s Peter Brough.

The history of that dummy I used is fascinating. There are photos of Ringo Starr with him, Tony Hancock, Max Bygraves, King George. Educating Archie created stars on his show

Tell us a little about your work with the Water Rats

Being invited to the Water Rats by Roy Hudd and Roger De Courcey was a true honour.

To think there's only ever been 903 Water Rats to date and that includes Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Paul Daniels, Keith Harris and Orville, Rick Wakeman the names before me are incredible.

I'm proud to be a part of the order which helps raise much money annually to help many charities across the country.

We also look out for our brothers in the business who need our help in their last days.

Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza starring The Osmonds, Preston Guild Hall, Wednesday, December 21, details from 01772 804444 and Burnley Mechanics, Wednesday, December 28, details from 01282 664400.