CHRISTOPHER Biggins has signed up to be the first ever patron of the Salisbury Fringe Festival of New Writing.

The festival, which features bite-size plays in pubs and cafés, will be held on October 2, 3 and 4.

Festival chairman Julian Demetriadi said: “We are thrilled and honoured that Christopher Biggins has agreed to be our first ever patron. His talent and generosity as an actor, his knowledge and love of theatre and his infectious enthusiasm, warmth and inimitable sense of humour make him perfect for the role.”

Christopher Biggins is perhaps best known for his many and varied TV appearances, which have ranged from the brilliant Emperor Nero in the award-winning BBC series “I Claudius” and the unforgettable Lukewarm in Porridge in the 1970s, to being co-host to Cilla Black on ITV’s Surprise, Surprise, crowned King of the Jungle in the 2007 series of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! and a panellist on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff.

He also enjoys a distinguished stage career with many highlights – including a year with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing with Dame Judy Dench and Donald Sinden in London Assurance.

Go to salisburyfringe.co.uk for more details.