JOHN McCOOK (ERIC FORRESTER)

Fashion titan Eric has been there since the beginning – as has John (73).

But acting isn’t his only talent, as we find out when we grab a few minutes with him on set. What did you do before The Bold? I was a pianist in the US Army, actually. I played music all my life and when I was drafted into the Vietnam War I went to the guy in charge of the army band and said, “Sir, do you need a piano player?” and he said, “Do you play?”

I said, “Yes, sir!” He said, “Do you play Mozart?” I said “Yes, sir!” He said, “Come here!” I called my mother and said, “Thank you Mama, for my piano lessons.” Then The Bold came along. You must love it to have stuck with it for so long? I do; Eric’s my friend. I love that he loves his family although I think he falls in love a little too easily.

It took me longer to do that in my real life [he’s been married to Laurette Spang since 1980 and they have three kids]. But he’s a good man, you know. I respect him. What have been a few of your favourite scenes? The big drama when Eric found out Ridge wasn’t his biological son – he was deeply affected by that and it caused a great deal of anger and emotion with Stephanie [Susan Flannery].

I liked it when he was going out with Donna [Carrie Mitchum] and trying to hide from Stephanie and she came and knocked on the door and he hid. He went out the window and stood outside. It’s always wonderful to fall in love with a new woman! What’s it like working with Katherine Kelly Lang? She’s beautiful and sweet and very calm. Working with her all these years has been a breeze. We’re close colleagues. And she doesn’t age – although I don’t either. I look very good. My ass looks very bad, but I look good.