John Otway is an iconic figure.

The comical punk-rocker may come across as a loveable buffoon but he is fiercely intelligent and a consummate professional who has been dispensing slightly silly rock & roll to the masses for 50 years.

On Sunday, Aylesbury’s finest returns to Oxford to celebrate his half century of live music with a show at The Bullingdon.

For John, the show is something of a homecoming. Some of his earliest gigs were at the former Oranges and Lemons pub in St Clements and he still plays every May Morning in the courtyard behind The Bear.

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John’s story really began in the midst of the 70s punk revolution, when his single Cor Baby That’s Really Free broke the Top 40 singles charts. He celebrated its 40th anniversary in Oxford last year.

It’s fair to say it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for him since. However, as they say, you make your own success, and the man who proudly dubs himself rock ’n’ roll’s ‘greatest failure’ has been a master of self-promotion, producing, and starring in, his own fan-funded feature film, which he premiered at London’s Leicester Square Odeon and took to the Cannes Film Festival.

And to everyone’s surprise, those same fans helped John find a second hit, with single Bunsen Burner reaching number nine in 2002 following a campaign to get him a second hit for his 50th birthday.

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Then there was his 2017 album Montserrat – recorded on the Caribbean island.

“I’m very proud of my hits,” he says. “Especially the first. I couldn’t have called myself a rock star had I not had a hit. Before it I was a struggling artist but after it I was a star. And I’ve had friends who haven’t had any hits.”

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He adds: “I am less surprised it charted than I am surprised that all the others were flops,” he says. “I expected them all to be hits. I’ve been surprised 38 times.”

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Sunday’s show is presented by Mark ‘Osprey’ O’Brien, who admits to being a huge fan.

He says: “If you were lucky enough to get a ticket last December, you’ll know how fantastic the concert was. Otway doesn’t let up!

“So we thought it best to bring him and his band back this Christmas for another great show.”

Sunday’s show sees John and his Big Band – with local lad Deadly the Roadie gallantly holding the whole thing together.

Expect chaotic fun!