Veteran entertainers Jimmy Tarbuck and Ken Dodd have been usurped as the kings of variety by the cult Australian show Puppetry of the Penis.

Figures today from Worthing's Pavilion Theatre show Puppetry of the Penis was the most successful show in the three months from June to August.

The puppeteers, who use their genitalia as part of their stage show, was the most profitable act for the theatre.

Only Doddy had a marginally greater audience. Heavyweights of the variety world including Jimmy Tarbuck, Jimmy Cricket, Jethro and hypnotist Paul McKenna attracted much smaller crowds.

The smallest audience for a household name was for Paul Daniels who drew not a lot of people to his magic show -- just 145.