WHEN the lads in The Full Monty make their way to the foot of the stage in the final scene, there’s one person they put all their trust in.

“The lighting guy,” smiles Chris Fountain. “The timing has to be just right - or the audience will see more than they paid for!”

This is, of course, the story of six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers who turn to stripping to make money. Wibsey actor Chris stars in the production, directed by Jack Ryder, who played Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders.

“When we first rehearsed the stripping scene we closed the room off, shut all the blinds and just got it out of the way,” says Chris. “We’re not meant to be very good - we're not the Dreamboys - and by the time it gets to that scene the audience know our characters and what has led us there.”

Also in the cast is Gary Lucy, Lewis Emerick, Kai Owen, Pudsey actor Andrew Dunn and Horsforth's Anthony Lewis. Chris says the play’s camaraderie and male bonding spills over backstage. “We all get on really well,” he says. “Andrew and Anthony are Leeds fans and my team is Huddersfield Town, so there’s a lot of footie banter!"

The comedy is adapted by Oscar-winning Simon Beaufoy from his screenplay of the hit 1997 movie. "I'm a massive fan of the film," says Chris. "Simon has taken bits people recognise from the film, audiences are loving it. It’s mainly women, but essentially it's a man’s story. It’s about depression, redundancy, losing your kids; all issues that resonate with men today. Jack met with former steelworkers in Sheffield and got one of them to write a diary about his experiences. That has helped us understand what these men went through."

Chatting between shows - he's just come off stage following a matinee in Glasgow - Chris says he's enjoying the northern humour that weaves through the play.

"It's that thing of using humour to get you through adversity. Northern audiences really get that," he says.

Chris plays Guy, the gay character played by Hugo Speer in the film. "Guy is out and proud, and he has this lovely relationship with Lomper, who’s initially depressed and confused about his sexuality. I’m great friends with Anthony, who plays Lomper, we both started out as kids and have had similar backgrounds.”

Chris was in Buttershaw St Paul’s Amateur Dramatic Society and as a youngster he landed roles in TV dramas such as Bob and Rose and The Royal. Aged 15, he joined Hollyoaks and won a British Soap Award for Best Actor. His profile soared in 2008 when he was a hit on ITV's Dancing on Ice, reaching the final, and in 2011 he joined Coronation Street as Tommy Duckworth.

But in 2013 he was sacked after online footage emerged of him rapping about violent themes including rape. At the time, the actor apologised and said he was “deeply ashamed”.

Prior to our interview, I'm told his publicist says the incident is off limits. Talking to Chris, it's clear he has matured and moved on, and he's relishing his return to the stage.

"I'm really looking forward to going back to the Alhambra," he says. "I was in Les Miserables and Oliver there as a child. A couple of the stage door women are still there, it's always lovely to see them. I think they still expect to see me as that little kid running around backstage!"

* The Full Monty runs at the Alhambra from Monday to Saturday. For tickets call (01274) 432000.