The seven-year old had been chosen to appear as Bill Sykes' dog, Bullseye, in the musical being staged at The Palace Theatre in Manchester.

His owner, Karl Lumis, of Chiltern Close, Sandiway, who has been breeding bull terriers for 10 years, was asked to provide two for the five month run.

Baldrick suffered no first night nerves, everything was all right on the night, until the part where he should have made a quick exit with Bill Sykes.

But Baldrick had other ideas and during a dramatic paws decided he wanted to stay on stage instead.

He lifted his hind quarters into the air and settled down, preferring to listen to Nancy singing As Long As he Needs Me, much to the amusement of the audience.

Baldrick's owner Karl Lumis, who breeds Bull Terriers said: "He hasn't been given the sack. He only pawsed for a minute. He moved when Bill Sykes tugged at his lead.

He added: "They aren't the cleverest breed. It was actually quite funny," he added.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.