Walford's most notorious villain left EastEnders earlier this year via a whack over the head with a ceramic poodle. Now Leslie Grantham has got himself mixed up in another tale of murder and revenge - but this time he's the one being accused of murder.

"Leslie's character is a far cry from the Cockney he plays in EastEnders," says co-producer David Nott. "Here he plays an upper class QC, a conservative type. Dirty Den has been well and truly buried and instead we have a Sir in his place."

Penned 18 years ago by disgraced former Tory politician Jeffrey Archer - a man as famous for his courtroom appearances as his novels - Beyond Reasonable Doubt is a courtroom drama flavoured with old legal jokes and chauvinist piggery.

In the Old Bailey, distinguished QC Sir David Metcalf is conducting the most important defence of his career - his own. Accused of murdering his terminally-ill wife, Sir David finds himself locked in legal combat with his old arch-enemy, the boldly named Anthony Blair Booth, QC.

Be prepared for a shocking twist, however, when the play goes back in time to reveal the truth about his wife's death.

Starring alongside Grantham are Alexandra Bastedos of The Champions fame as the stereotypical fragrant wife and Simon Ward from Judge John Deed as the prosecuting counsel.

"This is both a love story and a tragedy," says Nott. "Audiences are just as keen to see the actors involved as they are to see a Jeffrey Archer production".

Tickets £11-£18, call 01323 412000