A FORMER alcoholic who turned his life around by returning to the flock will take to the stage on Saturday in an epic production of the “greatest story ever told”.

Shaun Crossley will be playing the role of apostle Simon Peter in the Manchester Passion of Christ, being performed in the Cathedral Gardens.

This is the third time he has starred in the live re-telling of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection, having performed it at the powerful and moving Passion for Bolton last year, which attracted thousands and again 2011.

Mr Crossley, who lives in Darcy Lever, said: “The first time we performed it, it was very moving experience. On Saturday, it will be very emotional, I think there will be tears among the cast.

“In 2011, I volunteered to help backstage but I was encouraged to audition and I have always played the role Simon Peter — I have been told that it is quite a fitting role.”

The 57-year-old was brought up as a Christian who went to church regularly, until he was around 16 years old and “went off the rails”. He became an alcoholic for more than 20 years, during which he served prison sentences.

He said: “It was at a time in my life that I had nowhere else to turn to apart from church. I knew that I was not in control and turned my life over to someone bigger than myself and that was God. I had no choice because I could not make it on my own.

“I had always had that belief, from my upbringing,

“I have now been sober for 14 years, whereas previously I had never managed longer than 10 months sobriety.

“Since then, I have dealt with everything that life has thrown at me. It is as if something was reaching out to me and although it is hard to describe I can only think of it as a spiritual awakening. I have regrets about the past but I cannot do anything about what has gone on before. I now know that God will not put anything on you that you cannot handle and that whatever happens shapes the person we become.

“We cannot do it on our own — we need that higher power that is God.”

This is the first Passion held in Manchester since 2006 and features a number of people from Bolton, including Rob Slater who is resurrecting the lead role of Jesus, which he performed in Victoria Square last year. Geoff Millard is the artistic director behind Passion for Bolton.

Organisers of BBC’s Songs of Praise are interested in covering the production as part of one of their shows.

Mr Crossley said: “It is great to be working with the Bolton cast again, we all keep in touch. We had the first rehearsal with the choir. That was quite emotional.”

He added: “I think the Passion play is very important, it shows there is an active Christian community in Bolton.”

The performance starts at 2pm but people are advised to get there before noon as there will other activities taking place.