MAYOR'S Consort Keith Ladd has been busy juggling two roles.

For not only has Keith been helping Blackburn Mayor Coun Mary Leaver with her ceremonial duties, he has also been taking to the stage every night in a professional production at the Oldham Coliseum.

Keith, whose wife Susan is Coun Leaver's daughter, plays Bob, a "down to earth poor man" in the fifties comedy Saturday Night At The Crown.

"I've been acting for 25 years," says Keith, 49, who has appeared in numerous professional and amateur stage shows, as well as on television.

Millions of viewers even saw Keith in his birthday suit recently when he appeared as a naturist in an episode of Heartbeat.

He has appeared in shows with Les Dawson and Eric Sykes, and in panto with Frankie Howerd.

"As far as I can remember I've always wanted to act but I always thought you had to be six foot six and very good looking," he says. "I keep my head above water but it's a struggle. I do it for the love of it and I hope that one day my big break will come!" Keith, who lives with Susan in Salesbury, believes any aspiring actors should have something to fall back on.

"I used to be a freelance cartoonist and I wish I had kept up with it," he adds.

Keith says he has also enjoyed his other role as Mayor's Consort.

"I've found out such a lot about Blackburn and the people," he said.

"I'm bowled over by the amount of talent there is, both musically and drama-wise and I've made all sorts of new friends. I'll be sorry when it's all over."

Saturday Night At The Crown runs until Saturday.

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