ACTOR Paul Nicholls is set to take centre stage for his latest role - but it will be a performance viewed only by family and friends.

Paul, who was born in Bolton and grew up in Smithills, is to marry his girlfriend of eight years at St John-at-Hampstead church near their London home later this week.

But 29-year-old Paul, whose real surname is Greenhalgh, is remaining tight lipped about his bride, saying only that she is not an actress and that her family are travelling to London from their Scottish home for the occasion.

The actor shot to fame playing Joe Wicks in Eastenders.

He starred opposite Julie Walters in The Wife of Bath and appeared in the hit movie Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

Nicholls has been linked to Martine McCutcheon and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Anyone expecting his wedding to feature in glossy magazines such as OK or Hello will be disappointed.

"You won't be seeing any pictures of the wedding in any of the mags, it's just going to be for family and friends," Nicholls is reported as saying.

The actor will be appearing as a GP in the drama Harley Street, which will be on ITV1 next month.