SINGER and actor Chris Scougal is no stranger to getting into character for a new role.

He will have to do more than learn some lines to accomplish his latest challenge - running the London Marathon dressed as Carmen Miranda.

The star of hit musical comedy series Jukebox Memories and Jock N Roll, who will be appearing as Danny in Grease at the Pavilion in April, is doing it all in memory of his late father Charlie.

Just days after learning he had a place in the London Marathon, the 29-year-old from Battlefield in the south side of Glasgow lost his father suddenly in October after he suffered from a heart attack.

Now Chris hopes to raise £1000 for the Chest, Heart and Stroke Association at the event on April 26.

"Hopefully the costume won't slow me down," said Chris. "Last year in the Great North Run (a half marathon) it took me two hours and 53 minutes and that was in the Carmen Miranda outfit.

"A month later I did the Great Scottish Run (half marathon) in a kilt in two hours and six minutes.

"I have set myself a limit, maybe a bit unrealistic, of three hours and 50 minutes to complete the London Marathon.

"I've been making up a playlist of songs that will keep me going and tracks that meant something to my dad, so they will give me a push when I'm feeling I can't go on.

"One of my dad's requests was that when he died he wanted his final song to be Highway to Hell. That was played at his funeral, so I'm going to play that during the marathon and I have an old cassette tape I'm getting transferred to MP3 of my dad singing. He used to sit with his guitar and have wee jamming sessions."

A painter and decorator who retired early due to ill health, Charlie was well known in Larkhall, where he lived until his death at the age of 54.

His memory will live on thanks to the fundraising efforts of Chris, a keen runner who regularly competes in events with his partner, sister and brother-in-law.

"When we ran the Great North Run we all went for a theme and decided to go wacky and do fancy dress. That's when I first ran in the Carmen Miranda outfit," says Chris.

"My dad was over the moon that we did it. We all applied for the London Marathon but I was the only one to get a place. I have to go for it."

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/charliescougal