It will be just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right for former police chief John Stalker when he makes a surprise stage debut in Bradford.

Mr Stalker, 63, former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, is set to don stockings and suspenders to play an outrageous role in the 30th anniversary Rocky Horror Show at the Alhambra next month alongside Robbie Williams' best friend and housemate Jonathan Wilkes.

The camp, cross-dressing, show tells the story of stranded couple Brad and Janet who seek help at a creepy mansion belonging to transvestite Frank N Furter when their car breaks down.

Mr Stalker will be following in the footsteps of showbiz luminaries such as Nicholas Parsons, Lloyd Grossman and Victor Spinetti when he takes on the part of the Narrator which usually involves wearing stiletto high-heels.

The role is quite a departure for the former policeman who led a major, controversial inquiry into corruption in the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1985. But director Christopher Malcolm believes his star is up to the challenge.

He first approached Mr Stalker about joining the show through mutual friend Helen Worth, who plays Gail Hillman in Coronation Street.

Mr Malcolm, said: "It's unbelievable, isn't it! When I asked him about the show he asked Helen what she thought and she said: 'do it! it'll be great fun'. That's how we got him."

He said: "He's absolutely brilliant, and I'm sure he's going to be fantastic in the role.

"The audience are going to love him and love booing him. He came down to see the show on Monday with Robbie Williams and really enjoyed it."

Mr Malcolm, said: "Jonathan Wilkes is going to be a big star in his own right. He's a big guy, with a big personality and bags of charisma and sex appeal. We've been inundated with hits to the website about him - he'll go down a storm in Bradford.

"We love it at the Alhambra, the show's been there three of four times over the last 30 years and it's a great theatre."

l The Rocky Horror Show will be at the Alhambra from November 4 to 9. Telephone (01274) 432000 for details.