HE has been a star of stage and screen for more than 30 years, but John McArdle loves nothing better than performing at the Octagon Theatre.

The 66-year-old, who played Billy Corkhill in Brookside for five years, appeared at the Bolton venue in 1989 with his TV wife Sue Johnston in Jim Cartwright's Two.

He also appeared in Oh What A Lovely War in 2007, which formed part of the Octagon's 40th anniversary season, and just last year he played passionate band conductor Danny in Brassed Off.

He will again be treading the octagonal boards at the venue for An Enemy of the People, which begins its run next month, playing the role of the influential Aslaksen, a Norwegian town's newspaper printer.

John, who is a patron of the theatre, said: "I have always loved the Octagon — even before I started performing there. It has a great atmosphere and the closeness of the audience is different from most theatres. It is a privilege to look into their eyes. Often I feel too far away and detached from them but the Octagon provides such an intimate setting that sometimes they become part of the play."

Born in Wavertree, Liverpool, John met his wife, Burnley-born actress Kathy Jamieson, while they were in London studying at the E15 Drama School – and during their careers they have both worked with the Octagon's David Thacker.

Despite being best known for his Brookside appearance, John admits he does not really miss it too much.

He said: "I loved it, but I don't really miss it. But then it was only five years of my life and it was a long time ago now. Saying that working on a soap was great because you had regular money and could plan things like holidays. I used to do a lot of TV but more lately I've moved back to theatre work.

"I have also recently written a book, Never Said Goodbye, which will be out later in the year which mentions my appearance at the Octagon with Sue Johnston."

An Enemy of the People — which will see the return of artistic director by David Thacker — follows Dr Thomas Stockmann, a well-respected scientist who lives in a thriving spa town in Norway. He makes the alarming discovery that the water on which the town's prosperity depends is contaminated, and instead of healing people the municipal baths are making them sick.

After publicly announcing his findings in the hope he will become a hero, it backfires when the economic future of the community is placed under threat. In his struggle to do the right thing, Dr Stockmann risks destroying his own career and sacrificing his family's future.

John said: "I play a small town newspaper publisher who is a very measured and careful man who is a bit weak — so the opposite of me really.

"I would look it as a political thriller. It's a classic piece of Arthur Miller. I have known David a long while and when he asked me if I was interested in being part in the production I said yes straight away. His love of Arthur Miller is well known, so to have the chance to work with him on one is a great honour."

The play features a cast of celebrated stage and television actors and 24 ALRA North drama students, performing in two groups of 12 on rotation, which bridges the gap between professionals and local new talent.

John said: "It's good to be working with a brilliant cast like Rob Edwards who is playing Tomas Stockmann and David Birrell, who is playing his brother Peter, along with the fantastic bunch of eager young actors.

"One of the scenes in An Enemy of the People is a big meeting in the town where the citizens, many of whom are young actors, which is great because they get the chance to take part in something professional."

An Enemy of the People is playing from Thursday, October 8 until Saturday, October 31.