Famous actor and pantomime veteran, Brian Blessed approaches the role of Captain Hook, with as much energy and enthusiasm as he would bring to any Shakespearean classic. "Playing Captain Hook is as much of a challenge as playing King Lear," he says of his part in the forthcoming production of Peter Pan. "At times Hook can be terrifying, but at other times comical: I add in a lot of humour, with the end result that audience love to hate me!" A panto veteran, he is looking forward to returning to Croydon's Fairfield Halls this Christmas. "I love the Ashcroft Theatre, it's second to none", he says. "We get really good audiences in Croydon, they're tremendous, full of energy, they seem unspoilt yet sophisticated, which is an interesting combination." He sees pantomime as a great British invention. "It's enormous fun and keeps the audience entertained and uplifted," he enthuses. "It's suitable for young and old alike. Peter Panis the story of the boy who never grows up, and for children it's an deal introduction to the theatre." He promises top class family entertainment with no cheapness or vulgarity. "We have a wonderful production crew, marvellous actors, dancers and acrobats," he adds. "We hope to thrill Croydon with this performance!"

His portrayal of the fearsome pirate captain does bear some similarities to one of his best-loved characters: Vultan, leader of the hawk men, in the film Flash Gordon. "Flash Gordon's a stylised, comic-book story which has become a cult movie all over the world," he says. "People love to hear me shouting out that famous line: 'Gordon's Alive!'" While fans often clamour to hear Brian belt out a catch phrase, there is much more to this multi-faceted man than an impressive ability to project his voice. "It helps to have a good, strong voice, but there are moments in acting when it makes more of an impression to be still, or very quiet,"" he explains. "For instance, Captain Hook is at his most terrifying when he is being very calm and polite. In this Peter Pan, I tempt fate by doing the entire soliloquy, which begins: "How still the night is.." then I whisper gently at the end.."Shakespearean actor.." taking the mickey out of myself!" A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Brian's versatility as an actor is evident in films such as Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of As You Like It, where he takes on two roles, as a pair of feuding Dukes.

While he believes that acting takes courage, he doesn't see over- confidence as a desirable quality. "Acting requires strength of mind, imagination, and vision - but there is nothing wrong with being nervous as you need to be able to show vulnerability," he elaborates. "As long you believe in what you are doing, you can play it big or small." An energetic, larger-than-life character who was once voted "the man who looks most like God", Brian is full of enthusiasm for all his projects, not only acting but also his other great passion - exploration."Acting is holding up a mirror to life - but climbing Everest - that is life!" he says. After scaling Everest, a breath-taking experience described in his book The Turquoise Mountain, Brian has now set his sights on travelling to Ecuador to climb a volcano. Is there no stopping this miner's son from South Yorkshire? Apparently not after being chosen to join a space programme in Moscow,he has already begun training in preparation for a flight into space at the end of next year. "Going into space will certainly be a dream come true for me," he acknowledges. "We are hoping to get as far as Mars". While many of his projects are on such a grand scale, he also takes pleasure in staying close to home: pottering in the garden, breeding butterflies and spending time with his family.

He is married to the actress Hildegard Neil, and has one daughter, Rosalind, who is now following in her parents' acting footsteps. The family home is a farm in Chobham, Surrey, surrounded by seven acres of land and countless animals, many of them rescued. "There was a Shetland pony in the kitchen this morning!" smiles Brian, whose favourite pet is his little Jack Russell, Misty. His love of canine company lead him to take part in the autumn series of the The Underdog Show on Living TV, training a rescued dog in obedience skills. He is also planning some more guest appearances hosting the BBC quiz show Have I Got News For You. At the age of 71, he shows no signs of slowing down, and is certainly not the retiring type."I will never retire from life!" he declares. "People think that some of my exploits are dangerous - but to me, the greatest danger in life would be to avoid adventure." * Peter Pan is showing at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, from Saturday 6 December to Sunday 4 January.