SVEN Goran Eriksson lookalike Colin Lyne was praying that his latest on-screen TV partner didn't nip up his trouser leg during a live broadcast last week.

Colin appeared alongside Children's BBC puppet Vinnie the ferret, on daily kids magazine show X-Change.

The Bolton Evening News photographer was seen on the show in full character as the England Boss in his first "acting" role, which included speaking in Eriksson's trademark Swedish accent.

But 57-year-old Colin had to check whether any footballing knowledge was required for the part -- as he knows nothing about the sport.

Colin worked alongside the furry tracksuit-sporting character in a football-based scripted performance, which was aired on Monday. He enjoyed the star treatment and was even driven to the studio by the former chauffeur of Sir Lawrence Olivier.

Colin, who lives in Great Lever, has taken part in live broadcasts before, but says he was "tearing his hair out" over the thought of stumbling over pre-written lines.

He said: "I was on the show on and off for the whole half hour, and was really nervous.

"When they did the countdown to the live broadcast, I actually realised what I was doing and started panicking.

"It was the highlight of my lookalike career so far, my first 'acting' part, so it was a challenge.

"But in the end I got it right."

He has been learning about next month's Euro 2004 football championships from work colleagues, ahead of several appearances to promote the contest for its sponsors, phone company T-Mobile.

Colin, who has been appearing as the famous Swede for four years, said: "It's been the joke of my lookalike career that I know nothing about football, but I always try to do some research first."

He will be appearing up and down the country, meeting football fans before the first England game of the competition, on June 13, against France.

Colin will be flown out to watch the game as a guest, and will be flown back the following day.

He enjoys his "double life" so much that he will even be spending his 59th birthday as Sven, as the date coincides with one of his many public appearances.