LESLIE Grantham heads a star line-up in Jeffrey Archer's courtroom drama Beyond Reasonable Doubt at Malvern's Festival Theatre from Tuesday.

Grantham stars as distinguished QC Sir David Metcalf, conducting the most important defence of his career - his own - when accused of murdering his terminally ill wife.

After a "tense and gripping" courtroom scene, Act 1 ends as the audience is about to hear the jury's verdict.

Act 2 is a flashback to the fateful night.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt is the first play Archer wrote and ran in the West End for 600 performances and is now touring the UK.

Leslie Grantham is best known as Dirty Den in BBC's Eastenders.

But he has also starred in Jewel in the Crown and The Stretch.

Joining the cast is Alexandra Bastedo, who starred in TV's The Champions as well as Boon and Absolutely Fabulous.

The play runs from June 28 until July 2, evenings at 8pm with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

Tickets, cost £14-20 and are available from the box office on 01684 892277 or online at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk