ALICE Coulthard and Paul Nicholas will star in Keeler, the “sensational inside story of the infamous Profumo affair”, at the Grand Opera House, York, from October 17 to 22.

Based on Christine Keeler’s 2001 autobiography, The Truth At Last, the play’s account of Britain’s biggest political sex scandal of the 20th century has been written by Gill Adams with Keeler’s sanction and involvement.

In 1963, the Secretary of State for War, John “Jack” Profumo, was forced to resign after it was established that he had lied to the House of Commons over the nature of his relationship with young showgirl Keeler, played by Coulthard.

She was involved with a Russian spy during her affair with Profumo, and the ensuing scandal was in part responsible for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan, and the suicide of the doctor who introduced Keeler to Profumo, Stephen Ward.

Nicholas is not only taking on the role of Ward but also producing and directing the touring production, one that, not entirely surprisingly, will feature “some nudity”.

Alice Coulthard is best known for her two soap-opera years as Maisie Wylde in Emmerdale and also appeared in the cult film The Cement Garden.

Hull playwright Gill Adams wrote a series of plays for Hull Truck Theatre and Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre, such as Lonely Hearts and Something Blue.

She revisited the Sixties previously in Jump To Cow Heaven, her 1997 account of the strange events that led up to the 1966 disappearance of gangland legend Frankie “The Mad Axeman” Mitchell, when the Kray Twins rules the East End manor.

Tickets for the 7.30pm evening performances and Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm matinees cost £12 to £30 on 0844 871 3024 or online at grandoperahouseyork.org.uk