TV hard man has softer side

But as this picture shows the Boardwalk Empire and Pirates Of The Caribbean star has clearly got a soft spot for Cats.

Liverpool-born Stephen – who will be seen on the big screen later this year in David Leon’s gritty boxing drama Orthodox – returned to his native North West to watch the hit musical Cats as it enjoys an eight-week summer run at Blackpool Opera House.

Stephen, who won plaudits across the globe for his portrayal of Tommy-gun totting gang lord Capone in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire mega-series, clearly enjoyed the feline frolics and met the cast afterwards including songstress Jane MacDonald, who plays the role of Grizabella.

Cats, which runs at Blackpool Opera House until September 5, has brought stars to Blackpool throughout the summer including the show’s writer Andrew Lloyd Webber, West End impresario Cameron Mackintosh, and TV presenters Aled Jones and Jenny Powell.