I was a workaholic... but being an actor isn’t the be-all and end-all

HE IS possibly best-known for playing obsessive ex-detective Brian Lane for 10 years in hit BBC series New Tricks, but Alun Armstrong’s career has spanned a huge range of roles, across TV, films and theatre.

Born in County Durham, the son of a coal miner, he took jobs working as a bricklayer and gravedigger before breaking into showbiz, landing parts in radio plays and going on to land his first big-screen role in the classic 1971 thriller Get Carter, alongside Michael Caine.

He’s enjoyed acclaim for his theatre work too, appearing in the first production of Les Miserables and winning an Olivier Award in 1994 for his performance as Sweeney Todd.

Away from acting, Alun has been a long-time supporter of the MS Society and recently become an ambassador.

“Over the years I’ve met so many extraordinary people affected by MS, who are so brave and dignified despite the problems that the condition presents them,” says the star, whose sister lives with the neurological condition.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to follow a career that I love, and it just seems right to remember those who’ve been less fortunate and offer a bit of help.”

Here, Alun, 73 – who has three sons with his wife Sue (one of whom, Joe, is an actor) – talks about his career, his family and his health.

It is seven years since you left the show. How do you look back on your 10 years in New Tricks?

I ENJOYED every single minute. There was brilliant chemistry between all of us – Amanda (Redman), Dennis (Waterman) and Jimmy (James Bolam). We were all well-established and didn’t try to compete with each other as actors, so the atmosphere was completely friendly and relaxed.

The series has been popular in 25 countries worldwide, which is incredible, but sometimes I think

Brian’s bikes enjoyed more fame than me. If I go on holiday abroad, there always be at least one person who will come up to me and ask, ‘Where’s your bike, Brian?’

Did you see any of yourself in Brian Lane?

I’M terribly OCD and was always moving things around in the kitchen so they’re in perfectly straight lines. He had this obsessional enthusiasm for a never-ending string of new interests or hobbies and would then lose interest literally overnight. I’m similar – I’ll immerse myself in practical projects for weeks but then I get bored and drop them. Brian and I sort of morphed into one another as the writers

got to know me.

What would you like to tell your younger self if you could?

BEING an actor isn’t the be-all and end-all of life, there are other fulfilling things as well. I recognise that in the past I was a workaholic, and probably could have been a better father to my sons and a more well-rounded human being if I hadn’t been so obsessed with my job.

Hindsight’s a wonderful thing though, and I was also conscious of providing for the family, coupled with that actor’s dread of never saying ‘no’ to the offer of parts, in case nothing else came long.

Alun on the bike he used in his role as Brian Lane in New Tricks

What have been the turning points in your life?

I WAS 15 and didn’t know have a clue what I wanted to do with my life, when I saw a TV programme about a drama school, and I remembered how much I’d loved acting at primary school – the only lesson I was any good at. It was like a thunderbolt, as I suddenly realised that’s what I should do with my life.

The other turning point was picking up a hitch-hiker when I was travelling from Scotland to England. Sue [his wife!] sat in the back with her friend, and I fell in love with her voice first as she chatted away. She’s always been a brilliant support to me and a fantastic parent to our boys.

How do you look after your health?

LIKE Brian Lane, I genuinely enjoy cycling and I go to the gym and practise yoga. I love walking and with a group of friends regularly go on walking and hiking weekends all over the country, punctuated by regular breaks in local pubs! I’ve been lucky I never had any health problems and the only thing I have to guard against is weight.

And how do you take care of your wellbeing?

LUCKILY I’m a pretty stable, even-tempered person who likes a laugh. Acting’s still my passion and nothing gives me more pleasure than immersing myself in a new job.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

I WAS a bit diffident in my early days, partly because I felt selfconscious that I hadn’t been to

Alun Armstrong says he dreads the thought of losing his memory

drama school. A lovely actor, Kenneth Colley, surprised me by asking why I wasn’t playing the lead part in a Royal Shakespeare Company production instead of him. I said I’d never dream of asking for such a big role, and he urged me to value myself and my talent more. I followed his advice from then on.

What’s your hope for the future?

TO keep on working and to be able to memorise my lines. My real dread is losing my memory. I’ve known it happen to actors who just wake up and can’t cope with learning the script – nightmare!

Alun Armstrong is a new ambassador for the MS Society, which works to make life better for people with multiple sclerosis. For more about the supporters who volunteer their time to help stop MS, visit mssociety.org.uk/ ambassadors