Nigel Havers confesses all to MARION SAUVEBOIS

PREPARE for action, gags and laughter aplenty when this year’s much-awaited pantomime, Dick Whittington, opens this weekend.

Nigel Havers, who is best known for playing love-rat Lewis Archer in Coronation Street, will take on the role of King Rat from December 6 until January 4.

“I only ever play the baddie in panto,” he said. “I love it because it’s more fun. Being charming and nice is such hard work.

“I scare the kids to death. They love to boo, that’s part of the deal. I will be very rude to the audience in Swindon, which makes them boo me even more.

“The whole thing has got to be fun – fun for us and fun for the audience.”

Nigel has been a star of stage and screen for 40 years. He has appeared in films including Chariots of Fire, Nicholas Nickleby, A Passage to India and Empire of the Sun. He also starred in TV shows Little Britain, The Charmer, Don’t Wait Up, Brothers & Sisters and The Sarah Jane Adventures. He researched his family on Who Do You Think You Are? and braved the Bush Tucker Challenge on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

Wyvern Theatre director Derek Aldridge said: “It is a real coup for Swindon to secure a pantomime star of Nigel Havers’s stature for this year’s production of Dick Whittington.

“Nigel will no doubt bring a certain element of charm to the role of King Rat, which will make audiences love to hate the royal rodent.”

Nigel will be joined on stage by Wyvern Theatre pantomime favourite David Ashley, who is returning to Swindon for a fourth year. He will play Sarah the Cook.

Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane’s daughter, Lucy Kane, will complete the cast as Dick Whittington’s love interest Alice Fitzwarren.

Dick Whittington will be at the Wyvern Theatre from Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, January 4. Performances are at various times and there are a variety of ticket prices. Visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481.