Only Fools And Horses star Gwyneth Strong was delighted to finally get the chance to star in The Mousetrap

Only Fools And Horses star Gwyneth Strong had never got round to seeing The Mousetrap – now she’s starring in it.

The actress, who played Rodney’s partner Cassandra in the classic sitcom, is the curmudgeonly Mrs Boyle in the touring version of the world’s longest-running stage production.

“When I was very young, I met and worked with a fantastic actress called Kathleen Byron who went into The Mousetrap and she told me then – more than 40 years ago – that it was a very long-running show,” Gwyneth said.

“I can’t quite believe I’m now in it. Opportunities like this come out of the blue.

“At the time, I was probably one of the few people from all of the millions to have never actually seen it, but when I settled down with the script I was hooked immediately.

“Now, whenever I tell people I’m in The Mousetrap, I receive such a positive response and everybody has a tale to tell about it.”

Agatha Christie’s play was first seen in Nottingham in 1952, starring Richard Attenborough and his wife, Sheila Sim, and then transferred to London, where it’s been ever since with more than 27,500 performances to date.

In true Christie fashion, it is set in an isolated house during a snowstorm, where each guest arrives, one by one.

The police are on the hunt for a murderer, who just so happens to be one of the guests.

With another murder anticipated, there is a race against time to reveal the killer’s identity.

“I’ve always wanted to perform an Agatha Christie and a period piece of theatre, so this is perfect,” Gwyneth continued.

“One of the things I’ve noticed and admire about her huge body of work is she’s very good at writing interesting women.

“When you consider the time in which she was writing, it’s quite fascinating.

“I love Mrs Boyle’s anger – she’s also very funny and bombastic.

“I wish I shared her confidence at being that angry but I’m the opposite – I bury any anger and let it out at all the wrong times.

“I admire that she’s in the moment, she’s angry and she’s not afraid to let you know it!”

Gwyneth is used to being part of an iconic show, having been a regular on Only Fools.

“That was a hugely rewarding experience and a big part of my life,” she said.

“When I started I was already a fan of the show and didn’t realise I would be in it for such a length of time – I thought I was just doing two episodes.

“I’d never done a sitcom before and learned on the job from two of the very best in David Jason and Nick Lyndhurst.

“I did my first episode more than 30 years ago and people still approach me now, saying they love it and their kids now love it, too.

“It’s a tribute to John Sullivan, the writer, that it has transcended all this time.”

Having started in the theatre when she was 10, the 59-year-old is looking forward to not only getting back on stage, but to touring the country.

“I think there’s a bit of a joke between women of my age that we say we go on tour to get away from everything and have a break,” she smiled. “It’s nice to completely immerse yourself in a job, to get on the road and to have a break from domesticity.”

The Mousetrap, Edinburgh Playhouse, May 27-29