GUESS who's coming to Blackpool?

Former Casualty star Patrick Robinson is. And he's looking forward to exorcising a few demons at the same time as making his debut at the resort's Grand Theatre as he told the Citizen: "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner is a very simple yet wonderful story which despite being set in the '60's still holds a lot of resonance today.

"Even though it's a gentle piece and is ultimately a love story, the content grabs you and sends a very clear message about prejudice and colour.

"Every actor dreams of getting a part which holds special meaning for them and gives them the chance to get things off their chest. I can scream without screaming in this part and it's very cathartic for me."

Patrick plays a young handsome stranger who throws the lives of his girlfriend's well-to-do family into turmoil when he eventually arrives to meet them and they discover they aren't as broad-minded as they thought And after hanging up his doctor's coat after six years as Ash in top medical soap Casualty, Patrick found the same problem with the offers not always flooding in: "It's different for black actors," he added. "I can't pick and choose my next work and often have no gigs to go to even though some of the snobbery about employing former soap actors is also disappearing now."

But the versatile actor, who got his grounding by treading the traditional boards for four years with the RSC and broke the mould by playing a black Romeo, is determined not to be beaten.

"I've co-written and directed a short film called Monument which was shown on HTV and am currently writing another film. Directing is the way I really want to go now -- if there are no parts for me I'll just make my own!"

Catch Patrick in Guess Who's Coming To Dinner at Blackpool Grand Theatre from February 12-17 at 7.30pm with Wednesday and Saturday matinees. For tickets from £10 and more details call the box office on (01253) 290190.