IT'S probably one of the more obscure facts of the rock music scene, but did you know Paul Nicholas - he of the shock of blond hair, Just Good Friends and Dancing with the Captain - used to play piano in Screaming Lord Sutch's band?

Well, how's about that then guys and gals.

Sadly, Paul felt unable to take on the mantle of leader of the Monster Raving Loonie Party following Sutch's demise, because by then he'd moved on to much greater things.

Like being a television and pop star in his own right.

But a trip down memory lane still makes him smile.

"Sutch used to do a number called Jack the Ripper," he recalled, "and I was the one who had to dress up in the dress and get killed."

Understandably after having a knife plunged into him night after night, Paul became rather fed up with the whole thing.

But it had launched him into the entertainment scene and when he landed a part in the original London production of Hair (okay, when was it? 1969), it proved his springboard up the ladder.

He took the lead roles in Jesus Christ Superstar and Grease and transferred to television, where his cheeky smile scored in Just Good Friends and Two Up Two Down.

In 1976-77, Paul also had four Top 40 hit singles.

Most recently, he produced the West End musical version of Saturday Night Fever.

All of which points to Paul Nicholas being very busy indeed and during our interview his phone appeared to ring non-stop.

Although one call was from the local pizza takeaway asking which flavour he'd ordered.

Next week, he appears at Malvern Festival Theatre with another one time pin up on girls' bedroom walls, Ian Oglivy - ah, yes, The Saint - in Eric Chappell's comedy Snakes and Ladders.

"I've always admired Eric's work," said Paul. "I mean, he's done some classics - Duty Free and Rising Damp, for example. When you see his name on a script, you know it's guaranteed."

Snakes and Ladders is a new work from the writer, all about two couples who find they've double booked a luxury Spanish villa. Although this friction rapidly takes second place when it's discovered one's luggage has been accidentally switched at the airport for a swag of cash belonging to a Mafia type who arrives wanting it back.

Cue pandemonium.

"It's good to get back on stage every so often," said Paul. "There's nothing like hearing an audience laugh."

Which was more than you could when the Screaming Lord was at fever pitch.

n Snakes and Ladders plays Malvern Festival Theatre from Monday July 8 until Saturday July 13. Tickets £20-£12. Box office 01684 892277.