Alistair McGowan is best known for his brilliant impressions of politicians, celebrities and sports people, but if his performance at King's Lynn Festival on Monday evening is anything to go by, he's rather good at playing the piano too.

Festival on Monday evening is anything to go by, he's rather good at playing the piano too.

Amazingly, he's only been playing seriously for four years, when after a chance encounter with a woman on a cruise, who suggested he had some talent, he decided it wasn't too late at the age of 49 to take it up in earnest.

And he's obviously been working hard at it, because he gave a very enjoyable and accomplished performance of many favourite and also not so well known pieces in his programme.

Interspersed of course with lots of excellent impressions and plenty of jokes, many directed at himself, he delighted the audience with pieces from Bach, Chopin and Grieg, to Gershwin, Philip Glass, Eric Sati and Arvo Part.

He even released a debut album last year, and clearly loves what he's doing. On a very warm evening, with competition from the local seagulls, he played with passion and skill, but also with a very gentle touch.

Don't give up the day job, Mr McGowan, but keep playing the piano, as the two complement each other perfectly.