ALAN Fletcher, better known as Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours is one of life's nice guys - yet he always plays villains in pantomimes.

His role in this year's Malvern Theatres pantomime, Aladdin, is no exception, as he plays Abanazar, the evil magician.

Alan says: "He's a bad guy, he wants to get hold of the lamp so he can control the world. This is my fourth panto and I always play the bad guy - I'm the bad guy specialist. That's the trick, always type-cast someone against type to keep the audience interested. A lot of the time it's to do with age group as you couldn't see someone of my age running around in shorts as a youth! I wear a grand costume for the role, it's black and nasty but grand. I also have a costume surprise with a taste of Robbie Williams at the end, and the young audience will realise the song I sing straight away. This pantomime is very traditional, full of jokes. It's got a light touch to it and the families and kids are going to enjoy it and have a rollicking good time."

The show also stars CBeebies presenter Nicole Davis as the Slave of the Ring, and pantomime veteran James Biddulph as Widow Twanky.

Alan, who has been in Neighbours for more than 10 years, has played Abanazar before.

He has also taken on the characters of Captain Hook from Peter Pan and Flesh Creep from Jack and the Bean Stalk.

It is his first time in Malvern and he will be spending his Christmas there.

He says: "Malvern's gorgeous. I haven't gone up the hills yet, but saying that, I will when I get my first break. I'm going to have a solo Christmas this year, I'm looking forward to great Christmas television."

Aladdin runs at Malvern Theatres from Thursday, December 16 this year to Sunday, January 9 2005.

For tickets and further details call the box office on 01684 892277.