The One Foot in the Grave star, who has a parallel career as a respected director of serious theatre, is one of three associates appointed by new artistic director Daniel Evans ahead of the reopening of the Crucible Theatre following an extensive refurbishment programme.

Wilson, Paul Miller and Lyndsey Turner will work alongside Evans and newly-appointed chief executive Dan Bates and each will feature in his inaugural season starting in February, details of which will be announced in September.

Evans welcomed the trio on board. "I not only greatly admire them as directors, but I've also had the pleasure of working with each of them. These are hugely exciting times for Sheffield and I know that Richard, Paul and Lyndsey will make a rich and enduring contribution to our work."

Multi-award-winning actor Richard Wilson's many directing credits include extensive work for the Royal Court, including Playing the Victim which toured to the Crucible Studio, Primo for the National Theatre which transferred to Broadway and to South Africa, the Traverse in his native Scotland, as well as work for the West End, Chichester, Manchester Royal Exchange, Lyric Hammersmith and the Bush.

He said: "When Daniel Evans asked me if I would be interested in becoming an associate director at Sheffield I was flattered and certainly interested. But after listening to his vision for the new administration I was convinced it was something I simply had to be part of."

Paul Miller's work includes Elling at the Trafalgar Studios, The History Boys in London and Los Angeles, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads and The Associate for the National Theatre and Total Eclipse at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He worked for many years at the National Theatre Studio developing new plays and has directed before for Sheffield Theatres.

"When I directed two new plays (Accomplices and Mr England) at the Crucible, I loved the experience of working on that special stage. The dynamic relationship between its three spaces makes Sheffield Theatres the place to be and I'm thrilled to be asked to work here with Daniel.

"The last time I was at Sheffield, my National Theatre production of The Associate visited the Studio, so my new role seems somehow fitting," he added.

Lyndsey Turner has worked at the Royal Court Theatre in London as trainee associate director and international associate and as associate director at the Gate Theatre in London.

She said: "I'm delighted to be a part of Daniel Evans' new team at Sheffield. His plans for the future look set to reward the patience of regular theatregoers who've been without the Crucible for two years, as well as attracting a vibrant new audience to the building.

"At this exciting moment in the theatre's history, it's important to come back with a bang, and that's exactly what Daniel is planning.