THE newest member of the Auf Wiedersehen Pet gang was more nervous working on the latest series than when he joined the British brickies on their return to TV screens last year.

Noel Clarke was brought in as Wyman, son of missing Wayne, when the series was revived on BBC1 after a 15-year gap. Then he knew that all eyes were on the original cast, led by North-East actors Jimmy Nail, Tim Healy and Kevin Whatley.

"I was nonchalant because I knew no one was watching me. I was a new character and no one was really sure if he was going to last from one episode to another," he says.

This time, he's aware that people will be paying more attention to his performance too as the Pet lads, having relocated Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge to the Arizona desert, head for Cuba to become our men in Havana when they're hired to rebuild the ambassador's residence.

Wyman is following in his father's footsteps as a real ladies' man who "winks at anyone who walks past". His philandering ways land the lads in trouble and Wyman in bed with a woman he fancies. "There's a bedroom scene and a desk scene, when he and an embassy girl jump on each other on the desk in the embassy," he explains.

Much to Wyman's chagrin, his gaffer Dennis (played by Tim Healy) takes up with his mother, Chrissie, when she turns up in Cuba. "You don't want your mates fiddling with your mum," says Clarke, explaining his character's horror at the situation.

The last series, which attracted big audiences, helped establish his name as an actor. "I guess people know who I am a little bit more now," says Clarke. "You get seen by people who wouldn't see you before. This has definitely opened some doors."

Away from Auf Wiedersehen Pet, he won an Olivier best newcomer Award for his performance in the play Where Do We Live, directed at London's Royal Court Theatre by One Foot In The Grave actor Richard Wilson.

London-born Clarke, whose parents come from Trinidad, wanted to be an actor from the age of five but his background worked against him pursuing his ambition. Knowing nothing about drama scholarships, he trained as a fitness instructor and began working in a gym where he was spotted by a TV director. That led to a role in C4's Metrosexuality. He continued to act in small roles until Auf Wiedersehen Pet came along.

He's also been involved in a rap group, but thinks in the future will be singing for pleasure rather than a living. "Acting is what I wanted to do, and now I'm doing it. I guess I would do music for me but not necessarily commercial releases," he says. He already has more acting roles waiting for screening in ITV's A Touch Of Frost, BBC1's Holby City and C4's Dogma season.

* Auf Wiedersehen Pet returns to BBC1 on Sunday at 9pm.

Published: 02/01/2004