Angelo Clarke and his sister, Anna, are treading the boards together this week thanks to a life-saving sacrifice.

It’s the first time Angelo, 41, has appeared in a Bradford theatre production since being diagnosed with myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, two years ago.

He had two transplants after his sister, Anna Yeadon, 34, was found to be a stem cell match and became his bone marrow donor.

It was while performing at the Alhambra in the Bradford Catholic Players’ Pirates of Penzance in 2005 that Angelo, of Pudsey, started feeling ill. “I had back pain and felt rundown but I went on with the show,” he said.

He was later diagnosed with myeloma and had chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant in 2006 and another last year at St James’ Hospital, Leeds.

This week Angelo, 41, returns to the stage in his first role since his diagnosis. He’s playing Dr Grayburn in Bingley Little Theatre’s production of Something’s Afoot – A Musical Spoof, and Anna is also in the cast.

“I feel like I’ve come home!” said Angelo.

“It’s wonderful to be back, and to have Anna here with me. I haven’t been well enough to do any acting until now, and I had to stay out of crowds to avoid infections.

“I’ve been like a caged bear! This is a funny show, based on Agatha Christie’s thriller And Then There Were None. It’s the distraction I need, I don’t want to be sitting at home dwelling on the myeloma.

“My recovery has been gradual. I’ve gone back to work, at Chesapeake Packaging in Lidget Green – they’ve been unbelievably supportive – and I had the all-clear in April. The pieces of the jigsaw that’s the old Angelo are being put back together. “The doctors said, ‘Don’t wrap yourself in cotton wool but be careful.’ I’m aware of what my body allows me to do and I’m a firm believer in the power of staying positive.”

In September, Angelo will resume his drama teaching post at Shipley theatre school Debut and he and Anna have both landed roles in Yeadon Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Mack and Mabel next year.

Anna was the inspiration behind his fundraising venture, Angelo’s Angels, in aid of Myeloma UK. “I’m planning a fundraising gala for October,” said Angelo. “Last year I raised more than £24,000, which funded a research grant. This year’s event, at Bradford’s Hilton Hotel, is a masked ball.

“If I raise half as much as last year I’ll be delighted.

“I called it Angelo’s Angels after Anna and all the other people who’ve given me love and support.

“Eight days after Anna’s operation, when she’d gone through the process of donating bone marrow, she ran the London Marathon, raising £8,000 for Myeloma UK.

“She and some others of the Catholic Players climbed the Three Peaks and raised £3,000. They’ve all been fantastic and I wanted to give something back.”

Something’s Afoot - A Musical Spoof runs at Bingley Arts Centre until Saturday. Tickets are available on (01274) 432000.