LIKE his old mate Les Dennis, comedian Roy Walker is doing a fair bit of straight acting these days.

He'll soon be seen in the movie The Jealous God playing a priest.

"I know," he says. "It's type-casting for Irish men of a certain age. They want someone to play a monsignor, they look for someone like me. Grey hair and a big, red face.

"Actually it was quite good. I got to bless a few people."

He says he's not surprised that Les Dennis is doing well as an actor.

He remembers when they worked on Russ Abbott.

"He was really good, a natural actor, he outshone Russ, actually. I always felt he was much happier acting than being a comedian."

Ironically, it was his appearance in the Russ Abbott show, right here in Bournemouth, that led to Roy being chosen for Catchphrase, the TV show that made him a household name.

He still works the stand-up circuit and plays a second gig at Twisters Comedy Club in Albert Road on August 17.

"I think what they're doing at Twisters is great," he says.

Telephone 01202 789400