FAMILY Fortunes frontman Les Dennis says Blackpool has changed a lot since his first summer season here in 1975 -- and that the entertainment industry could suffer as a result.

The 45-year-old funnyman, pictured here, was in the resort to compere the national finals of a talent competition at Pontins, something he feels is the real breeding ground for new talent.

"I love coming to Blackpool," said Les as he prepared for the night's show.

"I've done the summer season here so many years, it is always nice to come back -- but I made a decision a while ago to concentrate more on serious drama when on stage so I haven't been here for five years.

"The first thing I wanted to do was to go to The Cottage for fish and chips. It was actually in there that the lady serving me said 'It's all stags and hens now -- no families and the type of entertainment they look for is different.

"I think it is important to hold talent competitions like this because so many of the people we see on TV now have very little discernible talent. "I'm not levelling this at all TV presenters, some are very good, but it is great to see people who really can perform.

"There are very few outlets for people who have got talent to perform, so it's great to see ordinary people getting a chance.

"My background includes these types of competitions and I learned so much from them. And, although on Family Fortunes the humour comes from the contestants' stories, I can use my background in comedy to help extract it in the best way.

"I think that is why we don't get so many big stars, such as Tom Jones or Shirley Bassey, these days. People tend to be more flash-in-the-pan."

For 14 years now Les has hosted the quiz show Family Fortunes, which he says he will continue to do forever if people continue to watch it.

"It is so good because it only takes two and a half weeks out of my year, which gives me the freedom to do other things.

"When I'm acting on stage in serious roles people come up to me and, because of TV and my background in comedy, they say: 'It was bit strange at first but after five minutes I had forgotten about it', which I take as a real compliment."

The Sovereign Starquest Talent Competition was held at Pontin's Blackpool resort on November 11 and the winner was John Williams, a 22-year-old singer from Pontypool, who collected the £1,500 top prize.