When Robert Evans created the idea for the Edge Of Heaven, he wanted the family to be a very modern one. And with a twice divorced, 80s obsessed landlady, an Indian chef as her new husband and two gay uncles in the mix, the actor-turned-writer definitely has got his wish.

"It's gone better than I ever imagined," admits Robert. "It's been such a great experience and the cast is fantastic. The family works well and every one of the guys in this series is joy to watch."

Describing his own character, Gary, as "big hearted", Robert explains it was important to him to show gay men on TV in a different light. "I based Gary on my real life Aunty Jacky - who's incredibly loving and caring. He is a big helper and it's nice to show Gary and Gary as a different kind of gay relationship. I think it is more realistic to me. They are leading normal lives and have normal families. They are not out clubbing, they're not obsessed with fashion or pop music or any of the well-worn stereotypes. They adore each other and it's simply showing a different, perhaps more settled, side of gay life."

My character Gary is a full time carer to Nanny Mo - the elderly mum of my partner. So we've got these two thirty-something gay men living with an old lady, who's essentially become their surrogate child! It's a very real situation, albeit with plenty of potential for comedy."

For Robert, there was no question when he was writing the series that he would not cast himself. "I always wanted to play him," he says smiling. "I originally trained as an actor and I got side-lined into writing. Then I wrote Stella with Ruth Jones and I was given the opportunity to be in that (as funeral director Gwyn Thomas). And that's what started the acting bug again! Ruth Jones is such a talented lady and she's given me a lot of confidence as both a writer and performer. I loved working alongside her.

"I've also been lucky enough to work alongside Beryl Vertue on Edge Of Heaven," add Robert. "She's not only a comedy legend and a brilliant producer, she's also incredibly funny and astute. Beryl has championed the show from the day she read the first draft of the first script and none of us would be here without her tireless support and dedication to the project."

His own husband, Paul, has been hugely supportive too, adds Robert. "We have been married for three years and we have been together for 12 years," reveals the charming star. "I have drawn a lot from our relationship and put it in Edge Of Heaven. He'll kill me for saying that but he's really loved the episodes I've shown him. We've also shown it to some of my family, too, and touch wood, everyone has really enjoyed it - unless they're lying! My sisters can be quite open when they don't like something I've written but they found it utterly joyful, which is a lovely compliment."

He says he learned a lot from his fellow co-star Adrian Scarborough, who plays Gary's partner. "I was really nervous but every scene with Adrian we have laughed all the time. In fact, we haven't stopped laughing and we really have had to try and control it all and get on with the filming! Camille has definitely been the mum on set. She's a very special person and wonderful as Judy."

He says he still can't quite believe Edge Of Heaven is shortly going to be screened. "I've been living and breathing the show for the last two years so it's quite scary having to share it - but also incredibly exciting."

Laughing, Robert reveals he has got so many ideas floating around for the series to run and run if it is deemed a success. "It's been so much fun and such a positive experience. I'm currently writing a couple of pilot sitcoms and developing a sci-fi series for Australia, so I'm still busy. But I can't wait to return to the world of Edge Of Heaven. It's a show for everyone from 16 right through to 65. I just hope the audience will enjoy it as much as we have."