SCOTT Fletcher's head at the moment is flying around as much as Peter Pan working three panto shows a day.

The 26 year-old is still coming to terms with the incredible year he has had.

The actor from Blantyre joined River City back in March, playing 'irrepressible rogue' Angus Lindsay, a dynamic, cheeky character who likes living life in the fast lane, regardless of the consequences.

And his character has become a BBC Scotland success story. But Scott has another reason to believe 2014 really has been his year.

Scott is currently starring in Peter Pan, at the King's Theatre. His casting as Pan is all the more covered in magic dust when you consider this is the King's 50th panto anniversary.

"I get to play Peter Pan and I get to sing Bon Jovi and Kelly Clarkson songs," he says, smiling. "It's incredible."

Scott loves the JM Barrie story of the boy who refuses to grow up, a tale drawn from the writer's childhood experience when Barrie's brother died at an early age - and his mother couldn't come to terms with the loss.

As a result, James Barrie grew up excluded.

"I played Peter Pan before at the Lyceum," says Scott, "and there are parts of this script that are similar to the JM Barrie story.

"JM Barrie was dressed up by his mother as his dead brother, and that's going to give you a few problems, so you can see where the darkness comes about in the story.

"And I think Peter Pan is the same complicated character as the writer. It's his story, about a boy's need for affection, it's about a boy who's looking for a mother."

Peter Pan is a dark story at times, but this is panto, given it stars the likes of Greg McHugh (Gary: Tank Commander) and comedian Des Clarke, is certainly not laughter free.

Does Scott prefer drama or comedy?

"I think the approach to both is the same," he says.

"As long as they are both truthful it can work. It's all in the writing, and good acting is good acting. It's all about hitting the right beats."

But isn't laughter more seductive?

"The thing is you should never expect the laughs. Don't get me wrong, it's great when they arrive but if you anticipate them it will look all wrong."

Scott, who attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, has packed a great deal into his acting career.

He reveals he and big brother Ryan, began acting on the same day.

"We appeared in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal when I was four and Ryan nine," he recalls, smiling.

"But we didn't emerge from an acting family. We really don't know where the acting thing came from at all.

"My dad is a welder and my mother a clerical work. We didn't know of the acting world at all.

"But I do recall when I was at school I didn't really think of anything else but acting.

"There was a moment when I thought about becoming a drummer, but when it came to filling out the application form for drama school there was no real choice."

Scott, coincidentally, has followed his big brother in a range of roles. Both have appeared in Gary: Tank Commander, with Scott being the regular character.

Both brothers starred in worldwide theatre hit Black Watch, and Ryan was also a River City regular.

"Who could have predicted it?" says Scott, smiling.

However Scott explains he had to bide his time before arriving in the BBC Scotland soap.

"I really wanted to work on River City," he recalls. "In fact, I auditioned about a year before and I think I was too young for the role or whatever, or perhaps they got a better actor.

"But when the new family the Lindsays came in that was the chance for me to join. And it's been fantastic."

Scott adds; "The thing I love about TV is the performance can be small. It's subtle. And you realise that theatre is totally different. You really have to learn to bring it up for the audience.

"It's a totally different approach and you just have to go with it."

A stint in television however allows for actors to be able to feel. well, less financially constrained.

"Theatre is the bread and butter, but you come to realise it's hard to buy a house or a car on theatre wages."

He adds, grinning; "The great thing about TV is you work twelve hours a day and you don't have the time to spend the money you earn.

"But I do love theatre. And panto is incredible. I worked at the King's panto when I was thirteen, in Babes in the Wood. And I appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk last year at Greenock."

Scott's voice is a little stretched at the moment, thanks to his Bon Jovi performances, but he says he'll survive Living On A Prayer.

He does declare however his worst panto moment.

"I can remember kicking (Still Game star) Paul Reilly in the face when I was a kid as he came through a trap door," he says, smiling.

"But thankfully he still speaks to me."

*Peter Pan, the King's Theatre, until January 11.