YOU would think that a career that has included playing two of arguably the most popular and iconic characters in modern culture would be enough for one man.

But no. The actor Terry Malloy, whose alter egos include Davros, creator of the Daleks, and the milkman Mike ‘Moaning’ Tucker in The Archers, is still working hard and enjoying taking his talents on the road.

Next week you can see Terry in Poole where he is playing the dual roles of camp hotelier and sinister brain surgeon in the classic Hitchcock comedy thriller The Lady Vanishes.

The play, which also stars Penelope Rawlins, Jane Evers, Darrell Brockis, Clive Flint, Andrew Bone and Nia Davies, is touring the country and, as it fits nicely round his Archers recording schedule, Terry is having a whale of a time.

“It is quite a short play but there is so much going on that the audience doesn’t feel at all short-changed,” he exclaims from his home, happy to chat despite the fact that the water supply to his road has just been shut off and his next-door neighbour is reporting on the situation, loudly, through the back door.

“It is one of those shows that attracts audiences because it is a good play. And it is an ensemble piece, not just a star vehicle for one actor.

“In that respect it is like the rep theatres of the old days and everyone mucks in. When the action moves from the hotel to the train, we all help to change the scenery, cast and crew, and that is part of the miracle of theatre.”

Although Terry enjoys stage work, he says his real element is the radio – just as well as he has been an Ambridge stalwart in The Archers since the early 1970s.

“I love the radio because, as an actor, it doesn’t matter what you look like,” Terry explained.

“You are not physically chained by what people can see, unlike a stage or television role. If you can do a role vocally, you can paint a vivid picture in people’s minds.

“I enjoy stage as well though because there is nothing like acting in front of a live audience. You get an instant feedback, which doesn’t happen in the sterile atmosphere of a studio. It informs you of how you are doing and it is lovely to feel the warmth of the audience.”

For many, Terry’s pivotal role was of evil Davros in Dr Who.

The character was top half wizened gremlin, bottom half Dalek and utterly terrifying to small children everywhere.

“I think sofa manufacturers should pay me a commission for all the sofas I’ve helped wreck from people hiding behind them,” he laughed. “All those chewed cushions.

“I am very fortunate that I have played characters that the British public have taken to their hearts. People think that when I was Davros, I was gliding round in a lovely motorised wheelchair but in fact it was more like a converted shopping trolley with a bit of two-by-four attached and it was always going in the wrong direction.”

The Lady Vanishes is at Lighthouse, Poole from Tuesday to Saturday, February 23 to 27. Performances are at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Wednesday and Saturday. Call 08444 068666 or visit lighthousepoole.co.uk