SQUEAKY-VOICED comedian Joe Pasquale is entertaining audiences at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre this week.

Along with Holby City star Robert Powell he appears in the classic feel-good play Doctor in the House.

The I’m a Celebrity... winner from Grays said coming back to Essex was always a treat.

He said: “I live in Kent now but it always feels like coming home, though I’ve never been to this theatre before - it’s lovely.

“It’s been brilliant, especially working with Robert Powell, he is a legend and played Jesus.

“We have been getting a great response, it’s one of those plays with a feel-good factor.

“It reflects a better time where people were not worried about the banks ripping them off, and everyone leaves with a smile on their face.

“There are certain scenes where I ad lib with the audience, I’m not stuck to the script, which I enjoy.”

Former Eastender’s actress Emma Barton, who plays Vera in the play, said: “I always try and have a day at least doing a good recce and seeing what’s about in a town, taking in the culture or museums and trying to avoid the shops.

“It is a perfect theatre for our production, cosy warm and nostalgic.

“Joe is very adorable and I have made a friend for life, he is a great team leader.”

Doctor in the House follows the fortunes of Simon Sparrow (Joe Pasquale), starting as a new medical student at a hospital in London. When Sparrow leaves his first choice of lodgings to get away from the landlady's amorous daughter, he ends up with three amiable but less-than-shining fellow students as flat mates. Towering over them all is the demanding chief surgeon, Sir Lancelot Spratt (Robert Powell), who strikes terror into everyone.

Doctor in the House runs until Saturday July 14 at 7.30pm with matinees today, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm. A limited number of tickets, priced £10.50-£22.50 are available from the box office on 01206 573948 or book online at the Mercury Theatre box office website.