Don't panic, it's Dad's Army's lost episodes

The popular TV sitcom has taken to the stage for the first time since 1975, as The Lost Episodes, and Peter gets the top role '“ Captain Mainwaring.

Better known as monosyllabic neighbour Joe in The Royle Family and Len Reynolds in Emmerdale, Peter said it was daunting.

"My character in Emmerdale was killed off and I had got to that stage when you need a challenge in life and my agent put me forward for the part," he said.

"It's a daunting proposition to follow such a wonderful cast of actors but I thought in for a penny, in for a pound.

"Joe in The Royle Family had nothing to say '“ the occasional line here and there '“ but he made a big impact.

"I've got more words than I can handle now, 100 pages plus. I keep trying to give some away to people!

"It's very cleverly written. The character of Captain Mainwaring is brought out by the words. You can't help but do what Arthur Lowe did '“ it's in the lines. You end up being a bit like a doppelganger but you try to put your own personality in, too.

"When I've got the uniform on, people tell me I even look like Arthur Lowe did."

When I caught up with him, the show had played Stevenage and was at Sheffield. "It's going down a storm. We're playing to almost full houses."

And what about when he says the famous line: "Don't tell him, Pike", during the Deadly Attachment episode?

"Everybody shouts and whistles '“ it's great," he said. "Dad's Army is a lovely, nostalgic piece of humour, particularly for people who remember the second world war."

Peter starred in All Creatures Great and Small for 15 years, was in The Beiderbecke Tapes and worked with Ewan McGregor in the film Brassed Off, among a long list of credits.

"I've been very lucky and had some shows and films to work on that were a joy," he said.

"The Royle Family was a magic time."

Dad's Army: The Lost Episodes also stars Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den from EastEnders) as Private Walker, another long-time fan of the series, who compares it to Sergeant Bilko.

"It's a blokesy environment where everyone has to pull together," he said. "The Walker character is one of those guys who always gets by '“ you find them in every war. There's always a black marketeer.

"I was hoping for a more sophisticated part," he joked. "I don't know how I get spivs all the time but maybe I can stretch myself."

Two episodes of the show, from 1969, turned up in a pile of rusting film cans handed into the BBC by a man who wishes to remain anonymous.

While the containers were in a poor state, the film inside was in good condition and has now been transferred to digital format for permanent storage'¦

These lost episodes will adorn Worthing's Connaught Theatre stage from October 8 to 13.

If you missed the 1969 versions of the episodes, this is your chance to see them live.

Walmington-on-Sea, an imaginary south-coast town (perhaps similar to Worthing), is still the setting for the Second World War adventures of a disparate group of men who, prevented by age or some other disability from enlisting in the services, enrolled as Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), or colloquially, the Dad's Army.

Shows are at 7.30pm, with a Wednesday matine at 2pm and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets are from 12 to 22 with 1 off for concessions. Ring the box office on 01903 206206 or visit www.worthingtheatres.co.uk