COURTROOM drama is becoming second nature to actor Simon Ward, who heads the cast of Jeffrey Archer's Beyond Reasonable Doubt at Malvern Theatres.

As Anthony Blair Booth, he finds himself locked in legal combat while prosecuting a fellow QC for murder.

"Courtroom dramas can be so engrossing. You get great characters really up against it and playing a QC, you get to show off a bit," said Simon.

He has spent a lot of time in court, as a judge in the TV drama Judge John Deed, and last time here in Malvern, as a QC inThe Winslow Boy.

"If I ever end up in court for any reason, I just hope I get a QC as clever as the ones I've had the privilege to play," he joked.

Simon's prolific career has included more than 200 television productions, 20 movies and more stage roles than he can count. He began acting with the National Youth Theatre aged 13, and said he had been lucky to work with some great actors and many good friends.

"I enjoyed making All Creatures Great And Small with Tony Hopkins. We trained together at RADA and I heard recently that he's been named as one of the greatest British actors of all time. It's nice to think I knew him when he was still learning."

Simon didn't come from a theatrical family, his father was a car salesman in South London, but daughter Sophie Ward, despite his misgivings, chose to follow him.

"She's done very well and obviously I'm very proud of her," he said.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt plays at the Festival Theatre, from June 27-July 2. Tickets are £14 and £20 from 01684 892277.