ROBSON Green returns in a new series of a TV hit with a new twist.

After the success of Christmas Lights and Northern Lights comes City Lights (ITV1, April 4, 9pm), which sees Colin (Robson) and Howie (Mark Benton) move to London after a Saturday in Manchester's city centre.

They get into a row over a parking space with an aggressive stranger, who is later gunned down in front of them.

As the only witnesses to a gangland execution, they and their families are told they have to join the Witness Protection Programme - leaving behind their old lives and identities.

Creator and executive producer Jeff Pope says: "We took courage from the fact that ITV said it was hungry for bold, fresh, edgy shows and we felt that it would be an interesting challenge to take a successful family comedy drama and push it into new territory by adding in a thriller element which consistently put the families in danger."

Which is how Newcastle United fan Robson becomes Brad Shearer, while Mark doesn't think before picking the name Wayne Carr.

Colin's wife Jackie, played by Rochdale-born actress Nicola Stephenson, becomes Emily Shearer and Howie's other half Pauline, played by former Cutting It star Sian Reeves, is Nicole Carr.

"The great thing about these characters, Colin and Howard, is that if you put them in jeopardy, you'll get conflict and a really good twist in the story," says Robson.

Exciting

"Colin being Colin does think it's all quite exciting initially, until Jackie gives him a reality check. Secretly Colin believes that he could have been a cop or a detective."

The Geordie star adds: "I am quite like him. I have very few friends, you know, really close ones. I can count them all on one hand.

"I have one friend in particular called Robin Sellers and irrespective of what's happening in my life we have always been good friends. He is the only man I can be emotionally intimate with, and that's a rarity for men.

"I'm lucky to have friends like that, and I think Colin feels the same way about Howie. I'm so happy about meeting Mark Benton during the making of this drama.

"We really do get on like Colin and Howie and my friendship with Mark is one that I know will continue." That's despite the fact that Mark supports Middlesbrough, while Robson is a regular just up the road at St James's Park - home of his beloved Magpies.

The two actors were, however, united when it came to the guest appearance in City Lights of a former Newcastle player.

Jeopardy

"I think because of the jeopardy that this series has, it brings Colin and Howie even closer. They really stick together and after all these new identities are in place they even get various jobs together," explains Robson.

"One of these jobs sees the pair of them becoming traffic wardens. It is a funny story where Colin only gives a ticket to cars that look flash - and one of the cars he gives a ticket to belongs to none other than David Ginola.

"It was great having David on set. We had a great time talking about all his football stories, although when he first arrived I was a little speechless. I'm terrible whenever I meet heroes of mine. I'm fortunate to know Alan Shearer quite well but when I meet up with him my voice goes up an octave and I end up sounding so stupid."

Mark recalls: "David was absolutely brilliant. A really fantastic actor. You could think that certain sports stars would come in and be a bit wooden. But he was great, really up for it and good fun. Needless to say, all the female members of the crew were over the moon to have him on set."

Robson is no stranger himself to being labelled a heart-throb. "I do laugh at some of the things that are said but I don't believe the hype," he says.

"And I can only apologise for the anti-climax whenever the word `heart-throb' is mentioned. I do laugh and wonder, because when I was working at the shipyard there weren't any women queuing up for me then."

For all the latest news from the world of television, check out Ian Wylie's blog,  The Life of Wylie.

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