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Interview: Frazer Hines

12:30pm Friday 20th June 2008

THE cast for the classic farce See How They Run which comes to Blackpool's Grand Theatre next week reads like a who's who of comedy actors.

And for former Emmerdale star Frazer Hines it's one of the great attractions of touring the country with this timeless romp.

"It is a tremendously strong cast," said the actor who played Joe Sugden in the popular TV soap for over 20 years. "There aren't any weaknesses in the cast and we're getting so many laughs from the audiences."

Starring alongside Frazer are Hi-De-Hi's Jeffrey Holland, Guy Siner who was Lt Gruber in 'Allo 'Allo! Dale Meeks (Emmerdale's Simon Meredith) and Michael Sharvell-Martin (from No Place Like Home).

See How They Run is a classic British farce which involves four vicars, plenty of mistaken identities and split-second timing.

"Oh there's a lot of opening and closing of doors," laughed Frazer. "It's such an enjoyable show to be in as everyone gets on so well together."

The play, which opens on Tuesday, is being staged as part of the seaside town's Veteran's Week. Set in 1942 it's sure to attract packed houses.

"I've been to Blackpool three or four times over the years in various productions and I love going back there," said Frazer. "I love going on the Pleasure Beach and the Big Dipper."

Amazingly it is nearly 14 years since Frazer left Home Farm and one of TV's top soaps, Emmerdale. So does he mind still being linked with the show?

"Not at all," he said. "I've had the great fortune to be associated with two fantastic TV programmes, first by playing Jamie in Doctor Who when I was young and then playing Joe in Emmerdale.

"Look at Sean Connery, he's always described as a former James Bond yet he's appeared in countless films since.

"As an actor it's so rewarding to be associated with a successful show that I don't mind it at all.

"Plus if using my connections to Emmerdale helps sell extra tickets then that's great. After all we want to play to full houses every night."

Frazer has spent a lifetime in showbusiness. At the age of nine he appeared in A King In New York, written and starring Charlie Chaplin.

"He was a lovely man," remembers Frazer. "I think he took a bit of a shine to me on the set. I had to learn an opera song so I just went home and that night taught myself to sing some Tosca. The next day on set he was really impressed that I had worked so hard and he looked out for me throughout the film."

Frazer's first big break came when he got the role of Jamie in Doctor Who, a role he played for three years.

Although it is nearly 40 years since he appeared the cult TV series, but the show's devoted fans still love to talk to him about it.

"After See How They Run I'm off to America for a couple of conventions," said Frazer. "I'll be taking part in a couple of question and answer sessions and I really enjoy them.

"The fans are so knowledgeable and clearly love the show. It's a good job I have a good retentive memory so I can answer most things about my time in the show."

Away from the stage, one of Frazer's great passions is cricket - he regularly appears for the Lords Taverners in charity matches.

"I've got a match on Sunday before I come up to Blackpool," he said.

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