STAR WARS fans will be concerned to learn that Emperor Palpatine, the biggest villain in the universe, is stalking the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Ian McDiarmid, who played the Emperor of the Galactic Empire and sworn enemy of Luke Skywalker’s Rebel Alliance, is starring in A Life of Galileo at the Swan Theatre. It’s been 28 years since the 67-year-old last worked with the RSC, but he does not feel like he’s been away.

“I was rather fond of the old Royal Shakespeare Theatre, but the town has not changed too much,” he said. “Everything shuts down at 5.30pm. I’m used to the metropolitan life of London, but this is a good place to do a play... no distractions.”

Ian is playing Galileo himself in A Life of Galileo, which is running until 30th March.