AN actor who went to school in Hatfield appears in the latest episode of Red Dwarf X exclusively on comedy channel Dave.

Nicholas Richards, a former pupil at Onslow St Audrey’s in Old Rectory Drive, stars alongside Red Dwarf regulars Craig Charles, who plays Dave Lister, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn in tonight’s (Thursday’s) programme.

The 42-year-old radio presenter and actor plays Jesus’s Uncle Aaron in the cult sci-fi sitcom.

The third episode of the tenth series, entitled Lemons, sees the Red Dwarf crew – Lister, Rimmer, The Cat and Kryten – marooned in Britain in 23 AD.

The Dwarfers need an eight-volt battery to power up the Returner Remote to get home.

Remembering a lesson from school, Arnold Rimmer – played by former The Brittas Empire star Chris Barrie – suggests they make a battery out of lemons. But the nearest lemon is in India, 4,000 miles away.

The crew begin their journey, a trek that will ultimately lead them to a meeting with a historical A-list celebrity that could alter the entire history of civilisation.

Nick said: “Initially it was quite overwhelming. I had to pinch myself during the read through of the script being sat around the table with crew of the Red Dwarf.

“The whole cast and crew were all very welcoming, supportive and a lot of fun to be around. I spent most of the week laughing either at the antics on set or at the great stories told at lunchtime!”

The episode was filmed in January before a live audience at Shepperton Studios in Surrey.

Nick, who now lives in East Sussex, said: “The set was spectacular. My scenes were filmed on the set dressed as an Indian market, which had so much attention to detail.

“What was really exciting was filming in front of a live studio audience and to get their reaction to the jokes.

“Overall, it was a great experience and wonderful opportunity to be part of such a cult programme.”

Red Dwarf X can be watched on Dave – Sky channel 111, Virgin 128 and Freeview 12 – from 9pm.

The first full series of Red Dwarf since 1999, it will be released on Blu-Ray and DVD next month.