FROM a rock 'n' roll piano man for Screaming Lord Sutch, playing Jesus in the West End to a smooth-talking TV ladies' man - Paul Nicholas's career has been nothing if not varied.

Turning his hand to the lead role in Fiddler on The Roof proves no exception for the Just Good Friends star, who has been heartened by the reception of the new show.

On his latest stage outing, which calls at Woking's New Victoria Theatre between June 16-21, he says: "It's been a great production and I have really enjoyed it. It's a more thoughtful kind of show which is not about singing and dancing, but a bit more like a play.

"The audiences have been very good, and it has received excellent reviews so far. There is an obvious risk when you do revival work such as this because you do not know if you will capture people's imagination - especially when it's something quite particular, a Jewish family in Russia in 1905. Everyone knows it, but there is enough interest for people."

He says the central theme of his character (Tevye) battling his rebellious daughters had represented a real challenge. There have certainly been plenty of those for the London-born actor. Despite none of his family being involved in the business, he felt a real sense of calling. Unusually, he learnt his trade on the job.

"It's something you are born with - a carpenter wants to be a carpenter, an actor an actor - there is no real explanation for it," he says. " You just have to find a way of realising your ambitions."

Quite how he became a rock 'n' roll piano player for Screaming Lord Sutch in the late 60s remains something of a mystery, but it set him on the road to stardom.

His big break came in 1972, taking on the daunting task of being the first person to play Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webber's renowned musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.

"It was quite a difficult part to play as everyone has a preconceived idea about Jesus. At the time, it became the longest-running musical and it was a nice thing to be associated with.

"People spend a lot of money dressing up and going to these shows so I wanted them to have a good time - which is what Fiddler On The Roof is about. It's a very funny show with a lot of talking to God!"

A sidestep into the music trade followed in the mid-70s, which was a diverting sideline for him, managing a fair smattering of chart success.

"It's just something I fancied doing. I wasn't really interested in the music, but it was my ambition to have hits, and I had four in the end, starting with Dancing With The Captain in 1976."

A memorable highlight followed several years later with an appearance as cousin Kevin in the screen version of Tommy. It featured one of British rock's finest acts, The Who (whom he describe as a "terrific band") with whom he became friends.

He first met their eccentric drummer Keith Moon when he came to watch his Wembley-based group, The Savages, in the 60s. This led to them going on a joint tour.

Perhaps his shining moment though was as roguish charmer Vince in BBC's romantic comedy hit Just Good Friends for which he won a best actor nomination.

"I got on really well with Jan (his put upon co-star) and the show was very successful - they are bringing it out on DVD now. But I don't like to look back too much, I enjoy what I am doing at the moment."

In the current vogue of scandalous holiday dramas, he has most recently been seen on our screens in the TV series, Sunburn, which he said was a mixed affair. "It was all right, but it was the kind of show that couldn't quite make up its mind if it was a serious drama or comedy. But it was good spending some time out there in Portugal."

Still living in the London area, he has not forced his six children into following him into acting, but one is about to start drama school, while the others are musicians.

If Paul has any major pastimes, he's keeping them close to his chest. "I don't go hang-gliding or anything like that."

Finding great enjoyment in entertaining and having experienced many sides of his industry, does he apply any philosophy to work or life?

"You have to have a bit of a plan, work hard and hang in there and believe you can do something. You have to be tenacious. I have had setbacks but just keep going. I'm in a position where I do not have to worry too much about work, But I don't think you should ever feel too satisfied though. I'm as happy as I can be and in a show that's working."