JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 5 2005, BATH: Stephen Beckett used to work for the Old Bill but now he's back treading the boards. And you can catch him in Alan Ayckbourn's Drowning On Dry Land at the Theatre Royal Bath next week.

Stephen, who used to play PC Jarvis in the TV soap The Bill, will tackle the character of Charlie Conrad.

He said: "Charlie is a famous failure. But he's very lovable, so the audience are sympathetic."

Charlie's impressive list of blunders begins with him running the 400m hurdles for Britain. After being a flop on track he goes on to be a fool on TV quiz shows.

Stephen said: "He comes to a sticky end when caught in an uncompromising position. You must come along to see what I mean."

Stephen, 37, is a big fan of Ayckbourn and has been in three other of his plays Private Fears in Public Places, Chorus of Disapproval and Way up Stream.

His passion for acting was born from an amateur group at the Oval House Theatre Club in London.

He said: "I was only 17 and it hit me like a thunderbolt. I just went along to a class and realised this is what I want to do."

Breaking the news to his parents wasn't easy because his father, John, was deputy headmaster at his school.

"I didn't stay on to finish my A-levels. When my father said: 'what about a safety net?' I replied: 'If I don't have one, I won't fall off.' I'm not so brave now," Stephen said.

He went on to win a place at RADA and has no regrets about his chosen profession. After cutting his theatrical teeth on stage, he was offered a part on The Bill in 1993.

He said: "I had a great five years there but decided to leave to find more variety. My character wasn't killed off I was transferred to diplomatic protection."

After another four years in theatre Stephen returned to the screen playing Dr Ramsden in Coronation Street. He said: "It's funny because it's the only soap I never watched. If I saw anything, it was Eastenders."

In 2002 he married Ann Brecon and they now live together in Brighton. He said: "We met on stage actually in a production of The Blue Room. There are only two people in it, so it was a good job we got on." Ann is now expecting their first child.

In his spare time Stephen is an enthusiastic walker.

"Nothing beats a rambling coastal walk followed by a pub lunch," he added. This year he's also sticking to a sugar-free diet, which is apparently far more effective than doing the Atkins. But Stephen has no intention of giving up his love of fine dining. He said: "My biggest extravagance is going to nice restaurants. Tamarind, in London, serves fantastic Indian food. And Terre a Terre in Brighton is out of this world."

Drowning On Dry Land runs from January 31 until February 5. Tickets cost from £11.50 to £26.50. For bookings call: 01225 448844. Drowning On Dry Land is also coming to the Oxford Playhouse from February 15 until February 19. Tickets cost from £9 to £22. Call: (01865) 305305.