KNOWN to the nation as bumbling Barry Evans in the BBC soap EastEnders, people may have to do a double-take when they see Shaun Williamson in his new role.

Dressed in a tight leotard and leg warmers, the actor is practically unrecognisable as he plays womanising DJ Monty in the musical Saturday Night Fever, coming to theatres in the Midlands soon.

And for Williamson the more unrecognisable the better, because he's desperately battling to "shake off thick Barry".

"I'm not surprised that people see me as Barry still, as I did play the role for nine years," says Williamson. "I knew I'd have to leave otherwise I'd become the equivalent to Coronation Street's Ken Barlow. No offence to him, but that's not what I want.

"It was my decision to leave EastEnders. When I told the producers they said they appreciated my individuality in leaving and they would kill my character off, so there's no going back.

"It was quite liberating, but frightening at the same time."

Fearful he wouldn't find work being a "fat 40-year-old", Williamson was surprised by the amount of offers he's received since leaving the soap.

Two weeks ago he appeared in the critically-acclaimed series Extras, sending himself up as an out-of-work, once famous actor trying to get a multi-million pound television deal. And he had no qualms of taking the Michael out of himself in the role.

"At the end of the day, in this business you're lucky to be in work," he said. "For nine years everyone knew my face but now I have to move on and hope to try and get another big break."

Leaving EastEnders has also had a positive affect on Williamson's home life. His wife Melanie, aged 40, used to be his agent, but since he quit the show he has taken on a new representative which means his work life no longer has to encroach on the time he spends with his family, which includes his children Sophie Mae, aged seven, and four-year-old Joe.

Williamson, whose first love is singing, says he can't wait to tour with Saturday Night Fever.

"Obviously I'll miss my family but I've been fortunate I've not had to work away from them for all my time in EastEnders," he said.

"Monty is such a brilliant part and to be brutally honest, music's my first love.

"Luckily, I don't have to be as fit or dance as much as the young kids in the show and it's great fun."

It's not just Saturday Night Fever that has been keeping Williamson busy either, last year he was confronted with the legendary red book in This Is Your Life, starred as Meatloaf in Stars in Their Eyes and learned what it was like to be a woman in Gender Swap.

And the quizzing addict who is in a team at his local pub in Kent, won Celebrity Mastermind, which led to him to present his own show 24 Hour Quiz, live daily for ITV1.

l Shaun Williamson will star in Saturday Night Fever at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday, September 26, until Saturday, October 1, and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday, October 3, until Saturday, October 8.

EMMA CULLWICK

Comedian Ricky Gervais is behind the series, which also stars A-list celebs such as Kate Winslet and Ben Stiller, and hopes it will find equal US success as his hit spoof The Office

"Ricky phoned me up out of the blue," said Williamson, who is a friend of Gervais. "I really couldn't turn down the opportunity and it was excellent fun."