Leslie shines in cad role

Shamed former TV presenter John Leslie embarked on a new career last night - acting in a theatre production of Jane Austen's 1813 classic novel Pride and Prejudice.

Opening a six-week tour at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, 39-year-old Leslie debuted as Mr George Wickham, a womanising cad who disgraces to the family of lead character Elizabeth by seducing her younger sister Lydia.

Had Austen's famous novel been penned today it is possible that Mr Wickham's notorious past might - like Leslie's - have included sordid tabloid tales of cocaine and group sex, and maybe even an ex-girlfriend called Abi who became a presenter on a porn TV channel.

Fitting, then, that director Sue Pomeroy chose Leslie for the part, adding a modern-day realism to Mr Wickham's 19th century scurrilousness.
In recent weeks Leslie laughed off suggestions that he had been typecast in the role.

But having been "destroyed" by last year's unproven sex allegations, the former Blue Peter front man was not in a position to be picky over his role.

Sacked from his £250,000-a-year job as a presenter on ITV's This Morning programme when allegations of indecent assault - for which he was cleared - were made against him last year, Leslie is now reported to be earning a jobbing actors wage of around £250-a-week.

And worth it, on the strength of last night's performance.

He acted convincingly in front of a three-quarters full theatre. His performance included dancing, singing and even piano playing.

One spectator said afterwards: "He was okay - not anything amazing but he did well enough. He's very tall isn't he?"

Indeed, just as Austen's novel reads "Mr Wickham was a happy man towards whom every female eye was turned," so Leslie cut a dashing figure in the play's later scenes when he changed into his old-fashioned army britches and red jacket.

And as the play continues to tour the UK in the forthcoming weeks there will no doubt be truths in Leslie's line, which is said in defence of his scandalous elopement: "It seems I attract the ladies."

Playing alongside Leslie is former Dr Who actor, Sylvester McCoy.