JEROME Flynn swaps his soldier's beret for a fez to portray Tommy Cooper in the Olivier Award-nominated comedy Jus' Like That! at the Alexandra Theatre from Monday.

Best known from his TV role as Paddy in Soldier Soldier, Jerome Flynn has won critical acclaim for his recreation of the well-loved funny man and the show has enjoyed a successful run in London's West End.

A spokesman said: "All the familiar trademarks are there - the fez, the laugh, the 'hats' routine, the bottle and the glass.

"But the play also goes behind the scenes to meet the man behind the fez. Cooper the perfectionist, the private man who died the most public of deaths on live television with an audience of millions.

"Twenty years after Cooper's tragic death, a large man in a funny hat is set to light up the stage once more."

Written and created by John Fisher, Jus' Like That! is directed by Simon Callow and includes magical direction by Geoffrey Durham.

The comedy runs from Monday to Saturday, March 5, with evening performances at 7.30pm and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced £8.50-£18.50 are available on 0870 607 7544.