EASTENDERS hardman Steve McFadden will be treading the boards at the Wycombe Swan this winter as villain Captain Hook to take a break from his “horrible and painful” soap storyline.

McFadden has been given time off from playing Phil Mitchell in the BBC1 soap to take on the role in Peter Pan, which many of the soap cast will be coming to see.

Teaming up with producer Jon Conway the show will feature swashbuckling fun, a cast of stars and will take to the sky with flying sequences.

But McFadden is by no means a novice to pantomime and has played Hook a number of times before alongside comic actor Matt Slack.

He said: “It's about having fun really. Matt and I are mates now. This is the fourth time of doing it together and it is like old mates getting together. It is just a chance to have a giggle.”

Slack, king of ad lib, will be playing Smee in his 11th pantomime this Christmas keeping McFadden on his toes.

He said: “I am a traditional actor. I like a story. I like dialogue that tells a story- that is what I am trained to do. In any others I am not really comfortable. So what Matt does- I couldn't begin to do.

“I need a script. I need a character and a story to get my teeth into otherwise I can't do it.”

He added: “Matt does tread the line in all sorts of ways. He treads the line with me and steps right over the other side. He takes the mickey out of me quite a bit.”

Bucks Free Press: Steve McFadden

Steve McFadden

McFadden is best known for his role as one half of the infamous Mitchell brothers with Ross Kemp which he has played for 20 years and had numerous high profile storylines.

His current storyline sees him spiral out of control as he develops a crack addiction which led to him burning down the iconic Queen Vic and his on screen mother, Barbara Windsor, leaving the soap.

McFadden said Eastenders bosses gave him the time off because “they just felt I needed a break and deserved a bit of a change really.”

This year he has notched up 2,000 episodes which only three actors have done before as his storyline progressed, but he said he has not enjoyed playing “a junkie.”

He said: “It is horrible and it is painful. It is hard graft. I haven't even been able to watch it. I have not seen any of it because I have been nervous about how it would go.

"It has been well received and everyone has liked it so I will probably catch up with it at some stage.”

He said his character Phil was left in a “very sad place” after his children were taken off him and his relationship with his mother broke down. He said Phil saw the drug as an answer.

Bucks Free Press: Steve McFadden with cast of Peter Pan

Look out for Eastenders cast in the audience during Peter Pan. He said: “There will be a few. When I have done it before they normally hire a bus and have a good old laugh and boo.”

He finished: “I'm looking forward to it as it is near to London. I'm looking forward to seeing what places there are. It is a nice area.”

Also starring will be Dominique Jackson from Channel 4’s Hollyoaks as Tiger Lily and Tracey Beaker star Dani Harmer as Peter Pan.

Peter Pan will be at the Wycombe Swan Theatre from December 11 to January 9. Go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk for details or call 01494512000. Tickets range from £17 to £25. Discounts are available for groups and schools.

WYCOMBE SWAN COMPETITION TO WIN TICKETS TO WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION

Witness for the Prosecution – Mon 27 September to Sat 2 October | Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Mat 2.30pm at the Wycombe Swan

Following the success of The Hollow, The Unexpected Guest, And Then There Were None and Spider’s Web, the Agatha Christie Theatre Company is proud to present the next instalment in the highly acclaimed series, Christie's undisputed masterpiece: Witness for the Prosecution.

Emily French, an elderly woman who recently left her considerable estate to the charming young Leonard, is found dead. Murdered. Though he protests his innocence, Leonard quickly becomes the prime suspect.

His plea hinges on his wife’s testimony, until the sudden appearance of a mysterious young woman, bearing an unexpected clue.

Will the truth be revealed in time or will Leonard be declared guilty at the hands of the Witness for the Prosecution?

In a world where everyone seems to be harbouring a dark secret, this gripping courtroom drama will keep you guessing until the final fatal moment.

The competition is to win one of 5 pairs of tickets to opening night – Monday 27 September at 7.30pm.

Competition Questions: Which of the following is another famous Agatha Christie Story?

a) Murder on the Orient Express

b) Murder on Chiltern Railways

c) Murder on the London Underground

To enter send your answer, name, address and daytime phone number to Witness for the Prosecution, Ellen Dean, Observer House, Caxton Court, Caxton Way, Watford Business Park, Herts, WD18 8RJ.

The closing date is September 23.