INGLETON actor Tom Lister is starring in a nationwide tour of the Wild West musical Calamity Jane.

Tom, who played villain Carl King in TV's Emmerdale for nine years, takes on the role of Wild Bill Hickok, performing alongside West End star Jodie Prenger.

The show opened in Bath on Monday and will visit 28 places during its six-month run, including Bradford Alhambra where it will be staged from February 3 to 7 and Leeds Grand, from June 23 to 27.

The Stage has already described Tom as "the perfect leading-man material, boasting both charisma and talent”.

Tom, 36, made his acting debut in 2002 and has appeared in several TV series and plays.

But, although singing is a hobby, Calamity Jane is only his second musical - he previously played Grimes and Eel in the world premiere of Water Babies at Leicester Curve. However he is a regular performer at the Royal Albert Hall for Christmas Carols with the Stars.

Tom - the son of Tom and Jean Brown, founders of Brown and Whitaker builders based in Ingleton and Bentham - first got involved in drama at Ingleton Middle School and, as a Settle High School pupil, took the

lead in the play, The Local War.

He went on to study at Birmingham School of Acting, part of Birmingham City University, and later returned to North Craven to star in A Midsummer Night's Dream as part of the Settle Festival of Theatre in October 2003.

He is also known for his extreme sporting challenges and recently completed a 2,000-mile bike ride across Europe to raise awareness and support the fight against human trafficking in the UK. The bike ride was called the Zoe Challenge and raised £250,000 for the charity Hope for Justice.

Calamity Jane has been produced by the Watermill Theatre following its success with new productions of musicals Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard.

Co-star Jodie Prenger made her West End debut as Nancy in Oliver! after winning TV talent show I’d Do Anything, and she went on to appear in Spamalot and One Man Two Guvnors.

She is also a regular presenter on BBC Radio 2.

The musical, whose original film version starred Doris Day, features an Oscar-nominated score that includes The Black Hills Of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), Just Blew In From The Windy City and Secret Love.

To book tickets, visit calamityjanetheshow.com