Norman Stanley Fletcher will do time at Blackpool Grand Theatre this week. And recreating the role of Ronnie Barker's loveable jailbird in the stage version of tv comedy Porridge is former EastEnders star Shaun Williamson.

"Obviously I remember it first time around with Ronnie Barker but I stopped watching the repeats when I got the part," says Shaun. "Fletcher is embedded in the psyche so I don't really know what the audience expects.

"I've got mixed emotions about striking the balance between paying tribute to Ronnie Barker, doing an impression of Fletcher and being myself. But it's great fun - I hardly leave the stage so there's no time to be bored."

Like the recent visits of Dad's Army and 'Allo 'Allo, the stage adaptation incorporates material from the Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais television series with added features.
"It takes the structure of two episodes but paces it as a play," says Shaun. "It has stood the test of time. It's gone down well - but good writing is good writing and people can tell that.

"I've been pleased with the age range - younger people have seen it on UK Gold and the over-35s remember it from first time around," he says.
As for EastEnders where he played Barry Evans from 1994 to 2003, he says be doesn't miss it at all.

"I had a great time but it was time to go," he says. "And, of course, there will be no going back because Barry was pushed over a cliff.

"I'd booked a pantomime and I'd taken the decision some time before that I was leaving for good. I was drained at that stage. I've never regretted it - in fact, it did me a favour being in the show but it did me another one leaving it."

Having held down a variety of jobs, including a postman, a stint in the Navy and stacking shelves at Safeways,- he got the showbusiness bug working as a rep for Pontin's and 18/30 Holidays.

After that he sang in a local band and joined an amateur dramatic group.
"I was out one night jogging and just thought it was a good idea - and a good place to meet single women," he says.

He won an award in the Kent Drama Festival and that convinced him to apply to the Webber Douglas Academy from where he graduated with distinctions at the older-than-usual age of 30.
"But I think all the work experience served me in good stead," he says.

Since EastEnders he has appeared playing a comically, unemployable version of himself in Ricky Gervais' BBC sitcom Extras as well as in guest appearances on Holby, Fame Academy for Comic Relief, Bremner, Bird & Fortune and The Secret Policeman's Ball.

His stage credits include DJ Monty in the West End production of Saturday Night Fever (a role he revived on a nationwide tour), Road to Nirvana in London and as the narrator in The Rocky Horror Show.

If he had to choose, he'd select stage musicals as his favourite roles
"Guys & Dolls was my favourite but I'd love to play the Landlord in Les Miserables," he admits. "I nearly landed The Producers - that would have been great."

But he doesn't plan far ahead.
"I've no burning ambitions - and I've kept in work so far," he says.

This will be his first working visit to Blackpool. "The nearest I've been before is opening a supermarket in Fleetwood!" admits Shaun.

* Porridge, Blackpool Grand Theatre. Tonight 8pm then to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.