Challis hopes not to need his wellies at Ludlow Festival

Shropshire-based actor John Challis, best known as TV's Only Fools And Horses star Boycie, today revealed his biggest wish for Ludlow Festival – dry weather.

Mr Challis, who lives at nearby Wigmore Abbey, said he had been crossing his fingers for a bright and sunny outlook at the event, which will run for two weeks.

He will star at this year's Ludlow Festival as Malvolio in Twelfth Night, which is due to start tonight and will run until July 9.

Mr Challis said: "Rehearsals have gone well, we're now just hoping that the weather stays fair. I've performed in an outdoors production of Twelfth Night before, at Stafford Castle.

"I also had a particularly interesting experience at Regent's Park when we put on a production of Richard III. The heavens opened and all of us – players and audience – were soaked. We were walking about in our boots, squelching across the stage as water ran down our backs and filled them to the brim.

"We're all hoping it will be fair weather during the coming weeks. But if it rains, it's not the worst thing.

"The audience and the actors tend to have an us-against-them attitude and we'll all be united if the heavens open."

Twelfth Night will be directed by newcomer Charlie Walker-Wise and launch two weeks of arts and culture in Ludlow.