“WE’VE played in Chelmsford loads of times over the years, though I can’t remember the names of the venues!”

Thousands of shows and nearly half a century on, London’s favourite sons, Chas and Dave, continue to put in the hard yards and show no signs of slowing down.

The Weekly News spoke exclusively with Chas Hodges, 71, to talk cockney, Essex and his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.

Last year saw the release of the duo’s first original album in nearly 20 years, That’s What Happens, and not even they saw the success it would bring.

Chas said: “2014 was the most successful year we’ve ever had.

We sold out most shows, including the Royal Albert Hall, and we earned more money than ever!”

In 2009, the nation mourned the break-up of the duo, when Dave Peacock called it a day following the death of his wife. It wasn’t long, though, before they were back on the road. “It’s what keeps us going,” said Chas.

The pair are no strangers to Essex. Chas says his family ran a pub in Great Dunmow many years ago.

He said: “Playing in Essex is always great. A lot of people think we only play in London, but we go to places like Glasgow and there’s 2,000 people singing London Girl. But it’s always great to play closer to home.”

Referencing the pair’s song Gertcha, Chas said it was a classic cockney word, which was used with “cow-son” in the song, but Top of the Pops banned them from singing the latter.

Of that famous performance, Chas said: “It seems daft now. I remember the producer said he didn’t want us to sing the word.

“He said, ‘I’ve had a call from my mother and she said that word is an old-fashioned swear word’. I wasn’t that bothered as it was on the record!”

So what of Spurs, the team the pair sang three FA Cup Final songs for in the 80s. Will there be another?

“There will be, but only if we get to another FA Cup Final!” said Chas, hopefully.

Chas and Dave play the Civic Theatre on Tuesday, June 2.