IF you have enjoyed former Brush Strokes sitcom star Karl Howman’s menacing performance as the mysterious Italian Mr Paravicini in The Mousetrap in York this week, you may wish to seek out another chance to hear him – this time in his own London accent.

The Woolwich actor and voiceover artist’s latest audiobook recording is Full Moon, the life story of The Who’s brilliant, self-destructive drummer, Keith Moon. “I knew Keith,” Karl says. “I did my first two films – That’ll Be The Day and Stardust – with him and producer David Puttnam told Keith to look after me.”

Now 60, Karl was 18 when he started making That’ll be The Day.

“Keith became like an elder brother to me till his death [in 1978]. I’m actually in the book in four chapters, so it was like a labour of love to do the audiobook for Dougal Butler, who was his PA, batman and confidante and wrote the Full Moon book.”

What does he recall most fondly of his Moon days? “Going for a drink with Keith and Ringo [Starr] at 18, or going to Tramps with him. Whenever Keith was in the country, he’d say ‘come up and meet me’,” says Karl.

“I went with him to the Who By Numbers recording sessions and saw him lay down the drum parts for Squeeze Box. Very happy memories.”

• Karl can be seen in The Mousetrap at the Grand Opera House tonight and tomorrow at 7.30pm and on Saturday at 2.30pm (sold out) and 7.30pm. Box office: 0844 871 3024 or atgtickets.com/york