HMS Pinafore, Grand Opera House, York, September 9 to 13

"I've discovered it may be connected," says Colin, who will play Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore next week at the Grand Opera House, York. "I'd been doing these Dr Who stories, and one of them involved him singing Gilbert & Sullivan. That may sound out of context but it was totally within the context of the story."

The offer came his way to play Sir Joseph, mighty first lord of the admiralty, in Timothy West's touring production for the Carl Rosa company.

"I'm never one to turn my back on a challenge, even if I was concerned I might not be everyone's idea of first choice for that kind of role."

The reason for that uncertainty is that Colin is known as an actor, not a singer, and indeed one former teacher would be surprised to see him in G&S trim.

"I love Gilbert & Sullivan, and I've always loved it from doing it from the ages of 12 to 17," he says.

"In fact I have a review from when I played the shepherdess Phyllis in Iolanthe when I was 12, and it says: 'Colin Baker threw himself with great verve into the part of Phyllis and rarely strayed more than an octave from the note', which I thought was a great compliment!

"It was only later when I learned what an octave was that I realised there was any criticism implied, but that was my witty English teacher for you. Now I like to think I never stray from any octave."

Colin acknowledges there could be a risk in casting him alongside what he calls "20 pukka opera singers".

"Modesty would make me say so. Unless one is incredibly arrogant, and even those who pretend they're arrogant for a role, it's all bravado underneath. I don't claim to be an opera singer and never would. I'm an actor singing in an operetta - and there's no feeling in the theatre like hearing an orchestra of 20 striking up after years of doing panto with four musicians!"

HMS Pinafore, Grand Opera House, York, September 9 to 13, 7.30pm; tickets £13 to £23 on 01904 671818.

Updated: 14:52 Friday, September 05, 2003