IS there such a thing as an Ideal Husband? And if so who better to play the part than Barbara Cartland's perfect man Marcus Gilbert?

But the dashing star of romances such as Hazard of Hearts, Jilly Cooper's Riders and, surprisingly, Sylvester Stallone's Rambo takes quite a different role in the Oscar Wilde play which graces Blackpool Grand Theatre this month.

"I play Robert Chiltern's good friend Lord Goring," Marcus told the Citizen.

"Goring's the fixer of the piece. He steps in and saves the day when scandals and misunderstandings threaten to rock the world of the under secretary for Foreign Affairs.

"It's a wonderful part and one I would have been very foolish not to jump at. It's extremely entertaining and well-written of course, being by Oscar Wilde, and the last two acts are positively riotous!

"I used to just get roles playing Russians or Frenchmen or even Canadians, and then after Hazard of Hearts with Helena Bonham-Carter I was approved as a leading man by Barbara and got to dash around on big black steeds.

"Ms Cartland was an indomitable woman and she had magnificent legs with a very shapely turn of calf I remember. Her death is a very sad loss."

Ladies favourite Marcus is also very keen to stroll down Blackpool prom on his visit. "I came to Blackpool about five years ago, purely for pleasure, and remember enjoying walking down the seafront and eating my chips.

"Blackpool's a fine place to be and my sister lives in Lancaster so that's handy for visiting.

"Also Mike Lunney, our director, has assembled a perfect cast and he has such a great vision that the end result is fine entertainment."

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde, starring Richard Walsh, Brian Cant, Marcus Gilbert and Louise English, runs at Blackpool Grand Theatre from June 19 - 24 at 7.30pm with tickets from £9 to £15.50 available from the box office on (01253) 290190.