When actor Dave Willetts, pictured, was told to "break a leg" before the opening night of his Alhambra show he didn't intend to take it literally.

But, although he didn't quite break a limb, Dave suffered a nasty ankle sprain on stage during the opening night of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Bradford theatre.

Dave plays the main role of Adam and his injury could have left the show without its leading man.

But in true showbiz spirit, he soldiered on to the end of the performance, with a slight limp, and has managed to make it on stage for nightly performances all week.

"I'm from the old school - as long as you can still walk, you carry on," said the popular stage actor who made his name in West End productions of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.

"Seven Brides is a very busy show and there are lots of people on stage. Somehow I collided with one of the other guys and my ankle went. It was just one of those things.

"It was pretty painful - swollen, bruised and sore - but I carried on. When you work these things you get through the pain barrier.

"Luckily one of the cast members is a registered nurse and after the show we put ice on my ankle and strapped it up. Thankfully I haven't needed hospital treatment and have carried on performing."

Dave is enjoying his first appearance at the Alhambra as part of a national touring production of the hit musical. And he praised Bradford's bid to be Capital of Culture 2008.

"People often have a negative mental image of northern towns and usually it doesn't correspond with what's actually here," he said.

"The Alhambra is a lovely theatre and the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television looks fantastic. There's a real sense here of Bradford moving ahead - you can see it in the ongoing developments.

"And it's not just the physical things. The people are important too. I've played at St George's Hall many times and I've always found Bradford people very friendly."

Originally from Birmingham, Dave started his acting career in amateur theatre and loves the "thrill of live theatre".

He is relishing his song and dance role in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which is on track to transfer to the West End.

"I've cornered the market in tortured souls, with shows like Les Mis and Phantom, so it's great to do such a lively show."

It ends in Bradford tonight.