GARY Turner has been a professional actor appearing on television, stage and film, for the past 11 years.

But it is only within the past two years that he has gained the power to walk into a room and make every head turn.

That is the power, he says, of television soap opera.

Gary cooked up a storm as chef, Carlos Diaz in ITV's Emmerdale.

His steamy storylines won him a legion of female fans, until last November he left the programme.

Now, his next role will be taking him out of the frying pan, and well and truly into the fire.

Gone is the frothy role as Carlos, and in its place, Gary could not have chosen a part more different.

He is touring as Macbeth in a stage production, due to arrive at the Bolton Octagon next week.

It will be his first time tackling this major Shakespearean tragedy, but did he choose it in the hope of shaking off his Carlos persona?

Gary said: "I spent two years playing Carlos and the way of working was so different.

"Once I knew I was leaving Emmerdale I could not wait to get my teeth into something different.

"I have been an actor since I left RADA in 1991. I went straight into being a jobbing actor. I love doing Shakespeare, Greek tragedies, farce and musicals -- a bit of everything.

"I fell in love with Shakespeare at an early age. It is a great challenge and language enriching exercise.

"Yes it can be difficult, but it is the same for everyone from schools to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

"It has universal themes, beauty and poetry. It is also like a journey that never ends.

"Macbeth is one of my favourite plays now. I have never played him before. We are in rehearsals now. The more I look at the character, the more I think, wow.

"Here is this play about a killer that the audience has to have empathy with and understand why he is doing wrong. Love, tragedy, all that blood and gore -- it is an enriching thing to do. Great fun."

The play is being staged in quite a traditional form. Gary explained: "My first reaction would be to say yes it is traditional. It would have been acceptable to audiences in Shakespeare's day. But we are not in Elizabethan dress and it is also a very physical interpretation of the play, in which a few exciting alterations have been made."

Gary was trained at RADA and on leaving went into the short running soap Families. He appeared in Soldier Soldier and the Bill. He also appeared in a film called Carrington.

When the part of Carlos in Emmerdale was offered, he had no hesitation. He said: "You know the score before you go into a soap. People do not know me in the theatre so you can not really tell people off for thinking Emmerdale is all I am about.

"The public sees you in one thing and thinks that is all you are about.

"For example, I have just been to get a sandwich in a coffee bar for lunch. And the whole place went quiet. I left college 10 years ago and have appeared in all sorts of things, yet it is only in these last two years that I have caused any public reaction like that. Appearing in a soap is world changing.

"People react to what they see on television. One of the most common things shouted to me is 'cook us a Paella'. One old lady in Tesco even accosted me and told me to stay away from Bernice.

"But mostly people are friendly.

"I have absolutely no regrets about taking the part in Emmerdale.

"The programme's set is a very nurturing atmosphere especially among the cast. This is quite rare in the television world where it is often quite cut throat. I was amazed and really chuffed at reception I received there." Nevertheless, Gary is now lapping up the atmosphere on stage. He said: "There is nothing like a live audience. I came off Emmerdale in November and went straight into pantomime. It was fantastic. Live shows give instant gratification -- which camera crews obviously do not."

Despite having travelled the world with theatre, this will be Gary's first visit to the Bolton Octagon.

After the run with Macbeth, he has a full schedule. He said: "There are loads of plans. I am part of an improvisation company -- similar to the 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' format. I will then be going to Leicester with a new play and in the second half of the year there are a few television options. But I am treading carefully."