A SWINDON actor and drama coach is taking part in a TV reconstruction of the tragic events of September 11.

John Williams, 59, from Highworth was asked to take the part of the ill-fated American airline passenger Micky Rothenburg, who was brutally killed aboard the plane that crashed just outside Pennsylvania.

The shocking reconstruction is being made for news reader Sir Trevor Macdonald's Tonight programme.

"I am cast as the first character to have his throat cut,'' said John.

"The scene is the passengers all settling down, being served breakfast and then the three terrorists are there.

"I hear one of them say: Praise Be To Allah. I look round and get my throat cut."

John's agent in Southampton called him for the part because they felt he looked a little like the passenger who was killed.

He said the actors who took the part of the terrorists were almost too good.

"It was frightening even though I knew it was a simulation," he said.

"Imagine what it would have felt like for the people on that plane who didn't know what was going to happen."

Sir Trevor's production team have investigated the crash and researched into the people on board the plane, what they did and where they came from.

The reconstruction of the horrific terrorist strike against the United States will be broadcast on September 5, close to the anniversary of the disaster.

John teaches at Churchfields School, Swindon College and Hreod Parkway School, as well as coaching for speech and drama exams and running workshops.

He organises Murder Mystery weekends and performs children's magic in and around the Swindon area.

John is originally from the Rhondda Valley and moved to Swindon 15 years ago.

He still appears in the Welsh soap opera Pobl y Cwm (People of the Valley).

He has also appeared in the BBC TV dramas The Sins and The Carer.

He took up acting when he was about 20.

"I was inspired by my drama teacher, Ted Jones, he was a great teacher,'' said John.

"I wanted to be like him.''

John is currently helping organise a Lechlade pantomime set at the OK Corale which will be performed in November.