Sian Gibson and Johnny Vegas on Gold’s latest spoof murder mystery, in which this time they’re joined by Jason Donovan…
Murder On The Blackpool Express became Gold’s most watched show ever. What’s your secret?
SIAN GIBSON, 43: I think the series has proved so popular because the cast draws people in, and it’s easy viewing you can watch as a family. I also hope people love the relationship between Terry and Gemma. JOHNNY VEGAS, 49: It’s a terrific ensemble each year, and there is always the buzz of, “Who’s in the next one?” It has what I call the “Bingo Factor” – it’s discussed at the bingo by your mum and her friends… Where do we find Terry? JOHNNY: He’s in a very good place. At the end of the first film, he got the girl of his dreams. At the end of the second film, she agreed to marry him. Now Terry is making all the wedding plans, because he definitely needs it to happen!
SIAN: It was a gradual falling-inlove, but Terry caught Gemma’s attention at a time when she needed it. Also, Terry is so loveable it’s easy to see why Gemma would fall for him. What’s it like working with
Jason Donovan [who plays
’90s throwback Darren?]
SIAN: That’s the real reason
I did this! Can you believe it?
It’s Jason Donovan! We’re all very starstruck. He’s gorgeous. His casting was meant to be confidential. However, I’ve been telling all the mums at my daughter’s school about it, and I’ve never been so popular! When we were younger, he was an exotic Australian hunk, and now we’re all reliving our late teens…
Have you gone to pieces around him?
SIAN: I’ve been pretending that I’m really not fazed about it being Jason Donovan, and trying to act cool around him. We tried to make his character not look as handsome as he is, but it’s not working. Terry says to Gemma, “I’ve got no chance with him around!”
Is this perfect Christmas viewing, would you say?
SIAN: When the first film came out, I showed it to a few friends. I didn’t actually think it would be their cup of tea – it’s not Breaking Bad – but they all said, ‘This is perfect Christmas viewing!’ This is a time of year when you want to relax and be entertained.
JOHNNY: At Christmas, people still gather around the TV and watch things together – and this is the ideal show...