NOVELS, theatre, film, television. There's very little actor Ian Ogilvy hasn't turned his attention to and made a success of in the entertainment industry.

But while Loose Chippings (Book) Design for Living (The Globe) and Tom, Dick and Harriet (Thames TV) all vie for space on a packed and impressive CV there is one particular credit that should jump out and grab the attention of anyone the wrong side of 30.

The Saint and its sequel The Return of the Saint catapaulted the suave Ogilvy, who took over from Roger Moore in the role of knight errant Simon Templar, to fame.

Reputedly the most popular television series ever, it is still, as he prepares to come to Malvern in July with the comedy Snakes and Ladders, what the actor is best remembered for.

"It's so strange because it was 25 years ago," he says. "But I am very pleased about it - it's very nice that people do remember me."

Past association aside he is enjoying playing alongside fellow television star Paul Nicholas, who made a name for himself in Just Good Friends.

Ogilvy admits that while television and film helped him make a day to day living in the early days it is the theatre that offers the most satisfaction.

"I think the theatre is certainly the one where you get all the feedback," he explains. "You have to manipulate the audience and you can't do that with film and television. It's still the most satisfying."

One man who will be appreciating Ogilvy's working of the audience perhaps more than most is the native Malvernian responsible for keeping his Saintly connection alive.

Now living in Hampshire, 33-year-old Ian Dickerson's interest in The Saint began with the television series.

It prompted an interest in the original books of Leslie Charteris. Flea markets in Malvern's Winter Gardens provided an initial source for the books in the early days, of which he now has multiple complete collections.

"I liked them simply because they were fun," the former Malvern Parish primary and Chase pupil says.

"Over the course of my formative years the flea markets and Malvern's secondhand bookshops helped me build up a complete collection of the adventures of the Saint."

He got to know Charteris and his family before his death a few years ago and met Ogilvy, who is now largely based in America, when he came over to England to direct his own stage play A Slight Hangover last year.

Dickerson is the honorary secretary of The Saint Club and is currently putting the finishing touches to the authorised biography of Leslie Charteris.

Snakes and Ladders runs at Malvern Theatres from Monday, July 8 until Saturday, July 13 and tickets range from £12 to £20 and are available from 01684 892277.