A TELEVISION actor who returned to his roots last year when he became the president of his local drama club has wished members luck ahead of their pantomime.

Guy Henry is well-known for his roles in Holby City, Extras, Rome and Harry Potter.

But he hasn’t forgotten the am dram company with whom he made his stage debut in panto at the age of 11 – the Highcliffe Charity Players (HCP).

And more than 30 years later, after taking the lead with the club, he has sent its actors a good luck message ahead of their forthcoming panto, Treasure Island.

Henry is currently appearing in pantomime himself, as Captain Hook in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed new production of Wendy and Peter Pan.

In his message, written specially for the Treasure Island programme, he said: “I’m so disappointed not to be there as I’m sure it will be a rollicking affair – full or gorgeous dancing girls and boys, grotesque accents, funny walks (at least one of them with a limp), outrageous caricatures, bold shantying, a member of the feathered world and even, I believe, Stuart Tizzard’s Dame (very sorry to miss that one – or is that relieved?!).

“In fact, the whole thing sounds rather like my entire career in one naughty evening!”

He ended his message: “Here’s wishing all my friends and colleagues – and their wonderful audience – a splendid show!”

The actor appeared regularly in pantomime with the group in the 1970s, when he lived locally and was studying at Brockenhurst College.

He went on to train at RADA, and has worked with the RSC and the National Theatre.

Last July, he took time off from playing Henrik Hanssen in BBC drama Holby City to see HCP’s summer performance, Here we go Again!

The group’s chair, Georgina Smith, said: “It was lovely of Guy to find time to send us his good wishes when he’s so busy appearing with the RSC.

“We very much appreciate his sipport and hope he may be free to come and see us when we perform our next musical in May.”

Treasure Island will run at the Regent Centre in Christchurch from January 17 to 25.

For more information, or to buy tickets, call 01202 499199.