Now he is set to tread the boards in the play, Don't Dress for Dinner, and loving the challenge of a theatrical UK tour.

And according to one critic the talented actor makes the show "sparkle and fizz" like the dinner champagne the guests don't appear to get.

Robert told the Guardian: "It's a French farce and it's a very funny piece. There's a great need for this kind of humour but it requires huge energy levels and excellent timing. We are lucky we have an excellent cast.

"A lot of people who were not great fans of farce have come to see it and really enjoyed it."

The action centres on Robert's character, Bernard, who sees the opportunity to organise a dirty weekend with his new girlfriend while his wife is away.

But things don't go quite as planned and large-scale chaos ensues involving his wife, his best friend and a hired chef.

Robert continued: "We did it last year and we are doing it again now to go to all the places we missed because we know it works. And we are having a lot of fun too.

"It's demanding and the travelling is not easy but I'm not one of those actors who complains about the work. You just have to be fit and energised."

Don't Dress for Dinner will be running at the Regent Theatre, Stoke, from Monday, June 16. For tickets call 01782213800. Paul Keaveny