IN the 1970s there was a famous advert which had the words: “Lipsmacking, thirst quenching, ace tasting, motivating, cool buzzing, high talking, fast living, ever giving, cool fizzing..in Pepsi.”

Taking this advert as the basis of a new one for this big interview it would be: “Folk loving, python talking, comic writing, physics learning, cool walking, book writing, comic legend, family man ...is Ben Miller.”

Ben Miller has been entertaining us on television and on the big screen for many years.

He is currently appearing in Johnny English Strikes Again and has been in such other notable hits such as Johnny English, Paddington 2, What we did on our holiday, The Parole Officer and There’s only one Jimmy Grimble.

And on television there has been amongst his credits, Tracey Ullman’s Show, I Want my wife back, Death in Paradise, Primeval and of course The Armstrong and Miller Show.

In terms of comedy this would have been his big break through and for comedy fans this duo is a shining light in modern comedy. The latest string he has added to his bow has been that of author.

Ben has written a children;’s book called The Night I met Father Christmas-this was written for his son Jackson.

Ben said: “I had the idea to write this book three years ago when Jackson was nine-years-old.

“Some of his friends did not believe in Father Christmas so I wanted to write a book which would be a magical story and help other older children who might not believe in Father Christmas.

"I wanted to tell the story of how Father Christmas became Father Christmas. I wanted to show how this toy maker was visited by three magical figures, a talking reindeer, a talking tree and a snowman.”

Christmas for the young Ben Miller was split between Cheshire where his family lived and going to Stoke Newington in London where he and his family spent Christmas with another family.

One year these two families booked a cottage on the island of Anglesey . They loaded up the cars with presents and when they got there they realised they had forgotten all the decorations and food but still had a special Christmas.

Somerset County Gazette:

One of his most magical happened when he was seven/eight years old and was given a sledge for Christmas. It was a Christmas Day when it snowed in Cheshire so in the afternoon he got to use his sledge. It never happened again in Christmas Day but it did once.

An interview is like putting together a jigsaw. One question equals one piece and as you ask questions you build up a picture.

A picture of who Ben Miller is can be seen from the songs which would encapsulate his childhood.

Explaining he said: “Mr Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan. When I first heard it, I was captivated and wanted to know more about Bob Dylan. The lyrics had a meaning which I could not grasp. The second is Pete Seeger and his song about Jessie James. I loved the story and have always loved folk music. The third is Rocket Man by Elton John.This was at a time when I really started to listen to music.”

Now he is looking to bring so festive cheer when he comes to Taunton on December 12. He will be at St Mary Magdalene Church for an NSPCC Carols by Candlelight at 6.30pm. He will be reading extracts from his book The Night I met Father Christmas (who he has along with his wife and children at the north Pole)

Ben said: “I am very excited to come along as Taunton is my ex-wife’s home town.

“My sister in law Sophy McIntosh is one of the organisers and I have lots of family in the area.

“Christmas is a time for children and I look forward to supporting the NSPCC. I have myself googled NSPCC to get advice and it is a good source of information.”

Tickets for the Carols by Candlelight cost £10 per adult and children under 14 can get in free with an adult.

Buy tickets at Taunton Visitor Centre, Market House or call 01823 340470.

Ticket enquiries from faythomas1@googlemail.com 01823 336443, moira@countyhardwoods.co.uk 01823 412405, mariandunsford@gmail.com or sophymci@aol.com 01984 640459.