HE shot to fame for his roles in the hit film East Is East and the popular show Holby City, but this Christmas Bolton actor Ian Aspinall is turning his attentions to a more low-key event.

Ian will be hosting an afternoon of live music at the Brass Cat, on Churchgate, on December 21.

He said: “I’d always spent a lot of time in bands before I got into acting, I’ve always played music, so I’m combining that with a bit of a Christmas party. I’m hoping that old friends and musos will come down, and of course everyone else is welcome.

“There will be guests on but there might be room for an open mic if there’s anyone brave enough.”

The event, which will run from around 1pm until 5pm, will feature a host of familiar faces, including Ian’s friend Geoff Garcia, with whom he has played regularly.

“It’s been planned, but hopefully it will be quite organic as well,” he said. “There’s lots of acoustic sessions going on around town and I’ve played in a lot of them so I just thought I would do it myself and have a bit of a party .”

Ian is hoping that the event will be the perfect Christ,as warm-up.

“It can work both ways, being that last Sunday before Christmas, but hopefully it will just be busy and really good fun,” he says.

Throughout his acting career, Ian has maintained his love of music, and since moving back up North has made guest appearances with local “cuddly punks” TVOD as well as playing with his own band.

“I’ve been doing a lot with the band,” he said. “I was in a band just before I started Holby but we did one gig in Manchester and then I had to leave it.

“But that was only a temporary thing — my days of carrying speakers around are over. Now it’s just for fun.”