Soap star Gary Lucy proved a headache for security staff after hosting a rowdy late-night party in his Cathedral hotel room and then refusing to check-out.

Police were twice called to the £145-a-night Cathedral Lodge during the ex-EastEnders actor’s week-long stay as he starred in The Full Monty at the Marlowe Theatre.

During the six-day sell-out run, the 35-year-old partied into the early hours with guests, was fined for ignoring a no-smoking ban and then refused to leave the hotel despite being granted a check-out extension.

Police were first called to the 35-bed hotel when Lucy returned with friends following the opening night last Monday.

The after-show bash sparked a number of complaints from other guests about the noise coming from Lucy’s room.

Police were eventually called by security staff after the actor’s friends refused to leave.

A Cathedral spokesman said: “Early on Tuesday morning Kent police were called by Canterbury Cathedral security staff to assist following complaints about noise from visitors in a guest’s room at the Cathedral Lodge Hotel.

“The visitors had initially been unwilling to leave when asked to do so by hotel and security staff but left prior to police arriving.”

Lucy, who is married with three children, caused another stir five days later after reportedly refusing to leave the hotel, which sits in the shadow of the Cathedral.

According to a source, he had negotiated an hour’s extension to the 11am check-out time, but by 12.30pm had still not left his room.

Police were again called and spoke to Lucy as he settled his bill, which included a £50 charge for smoking in his room.

The Cathedral spokesman said: “Police were called by Cathedral security staff to assist after concern that a guest in the Cathedral Lodge Hotel was declining to leave his room and check out at a previously agreed time of noon.

“The guest later left the hotel and agreed to pay a £50 charge to cover additional cleaning as he had been smoking in his room.

“The Cathedral Lodge has a no smoking policy in all areas of the hotel and guests agree not to smoke when they check in.”

Officers recorded no offences and Lucy eventually left ahead of the show’s Saturday afternoon matinee and the final Marlowe performance later that evening.

Our sister paper the Kentish Gazette asked the former Hollyoaks star for a comment this week, and was called by The Full Monty producer David Pugh, who apologised for the soap star’s behaviour.

He said: “On the Monday Gary took the cast back after the show – yes, they partied, yes, they were noisy, and yes they apologised.

“There was a rather over-zealous security guard who called the police, which is ironic given that Gary actually plays a security guard in the show – albeit one who strips his clothes off.”

Mr Pugh says hotel reception granted Lucy an hour’s extension to his check-out on Saturday, blaming security for a mix-up that afternoon.

“Check-out was meant to be 11.30am and he asked for 12.30pm,” Mr Pugh said.

“But at midday on the Saturday the same security guard was knocking on his door saying it was time to leave.

"He didn’t believe Gary when he said he’d been granted an extension.

“There was a rather over-zealous security guard who called the police, which is ironic given Gary plays a security guard in the show – albeit one who strips his clothes off” - David Pugh

“When Gary got to reception to pay his bill, the police were there, but once more, no action was taken.”

The Fully Monty tells the story of six jobless men who stage a strip show to earn some much-needed cash. Lucy stars as Gaz, the part played by Robert Carlyle in the hit film.

The stage adaptation proved popular in Canterbury, with all but seven seats sold across eight shows before it moved onto Glasgow.

“We hope very much to come back to Canterbury,” Mr Pugh said.

“Next time we’ll try and be a bit quieter – or check into another hotel.

“The security guard can even have two tickets as my guest as an apology.

“We’re sorry if we upset him, but we did put a smile on the faces of 10,000 people who came to see the show.”