IT was when I heard the distinctive tones on the other end of the phone that the memories came flooding back.

I was speaking to David Soul, wearer of some of the most incredible Seventies fashions ever seen on TV, a man who drove the coolest car in the world, even if he did have to slide over the bonnet before getting in it and half of one of the great TV cop double acts.

How many thousands of others who grew up with Starsky and Hutch knew how I felt? The vast majority I'll bet.

David Soul is currently touring with Deathtrap, a suspense-filled black comedy which will arrive at Blackpool's Grand Theatre on March 4.

"It's all going very well," he says, "and I'm really enjoying it. It's still novel enough at the moment for me to be able to distinguish one region from another though come June when the tour ends things will have begun to blur a bit."

David Soul is speaking to me from Portsmouth where Deathtrap, co-starring Susan Penhaligan, has been the first production to be staged in the town's King's Theatre for over a year.

Theatre, it soon becomes clear, is one of David Soul's many passions. He is an eloquent advocate of the art form.

"A theatre gives a community an identity just as much as a football team or a pub does and a church used to do," he says. "It is the creative extension of an area. As we move more and more into technology and marketing and the dehumanising of us all, theatre is really the last vestage of community. It is something to be proud of."

"As an actor live theatre presents the ultimate challenge, you have to establish a relationship with your audience."

Deathtrap has more twists and turns than a country lane and is written by Ira Levin. A film version starred Michael Caine

"This is a very interesting play which is so well crafted," he says. "I've never seen the film version but I'm arrogant enough to think that I'd do it my way anyway"

Audiences have clearly loved the black humour and the various shifts in plot.

"It never quits on you for one moment," says David. "Just when you think you've got it all worked out, something else happens."

Try to pin David Soul down as to how he sees his career merely serves as another cue for the great man to hold forth.

"I've never seen myself as a job description," says the man who has had number one record, made movies and also directed and produced. "I'm still a beginner in this business. It really is a new beginning every time I set out on something,"

For the last six years David Soul has called England home.

"The producer Bill Kenwright invited me over to do a play," he says. "It had always been a dream to do British theatre and one thing just led to another and we're still here."

David has been renting a home ever since but he has applied to the Home Office for residency to be made permanent.

"I still go to the States, as my kids live over there," he adds. The kids in question range in age from 13 to 37.

It was while living in Britain that David Soul played a major role in one of the great political stories in recent times, being an active campaigner for 'the man in the white suit' Martin Bell as he became MP for Tatton.

"I watched him on Newsnight talking about principled journalism and why shouldn't there be principles in politics. I was so impressed I called him up. We met at Kensington Underground station and had a coffee and became friends.

"It was a wonderfully exciting experience."

For me the excitement has been speaking to one of my heroes and I just had to raise the Starsky and Hutch issue.

"Ah the old Starky Hutch and Match of the Day thing," he laughs.

"You know, I still get people coming up to me now and saying 'you were the reason I could stay up late on a Saturday night'.

"It gives you a warm feeling to think that you have such an effect on people."

For over 25 years David Soul has been entertaining us in one way or another and the signs are that there is a lot more to come.

He is very keen to encourage younger audiences back into his beloved theatre.

"This is one area in which the theatre has been remiss in the past."

Deathtrap opens at Blackpool's Grand Theatre on Monday, March 4. Details from the box office on 01253 290190.