GRAHAM Seed, best known for playing fallen favourite Nigel Pargetter in BBC Radio Four's The Archers for 27 years, will lead the touring cast for Terence Rattigan's Flare Path at York Theatre Royal from May 3 to 7.

Based on Rattigan's experiences as a tail gunner during the Second World War, his 1942 drama paints an evocative portrait of the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews in wartime Britain and its impact on their wives and sweethearts, left waiting their return.

Set in a hotel near an RAF Bomber Command airbase against a backdrop of heartache and quiet bravery, Flare Path tells the love-triangle story of former actress Patricia, wife of RAF pilot Teddy. Their marriage is tested to the limits by the surprise arrival of Patricia’s former lover and Hollywood idol Peter Kyle.

An unexpected and dangerous mission over Germany puts Patricia at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies.

Flare Path combines highly charged drama with an authentic taste of the fear, camaraderie and passion experienced by the men and women who fought to save their country, their families and each other.

Directed by Justin Audibert, the touring production by The Original Theatre Company and Birdsong Productions will have a set and costume design by Hayley Grindle, lighting design by Alex Wardle, sound design by Dominic Bilkey.

Graham Seed will play Squadron Leader Swanson; Hedydd Dylan, Patricia Graham; Daniel Fraser, Teddy Graham and Lynden Edwards, Peter Kyle. They will be joined by Claire Andreadis as Countess Skriczevinsky; William Reay as Flying Officer Count Skriczevinsky and Corporal Jones; Jamie Hogarth as Sergeant Miller; Charlie G Hawkins as Percy; Polly Hughes as Mrs Miller and Emma Carter as Betty.

York Press:

Graham Seed as Prime Minister Jim Hacker in Yes, Prime Minister at York Theatre Royal in 2012

Seed made a dramatic exit from The Archers at the start of 2011, when the delightfully eccentric Nigel Pargetter fell to his death while removing a banner from the roof of his stately pile, Lower Loxley Hall.

He won the Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2010 from the Broadcasting Press Guild and the Voice of Listener & Viewer Special Award 2010 and last year he appeared in An Audience With Jimmy Savile, playing opposite Alistair McGowan, at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe and London’s Park Theatre.

In York, Seed has starred as the implacable Major Metcalf in Agatha Christie's murder mystery The Mousetrap at the Grand Opera House in May 2013 and Prime Minister Jim Hacker in Yes, Prime Minister at York Theatre Royal in April 2012.

Tickets are on sale at £10 to £29 on 01904 623568, at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or in person from the Theatre Royal's De Grey Rooms box office.