‘I promised myself I’d have new adventures’
Actor Craig Charles talks music, midlife crises and why he still loves cult comedy Red Dwarf
hether he’s voicing Takeshi’s Castle, presenting Robot Wars or hosting a BBC radio show, Craig Charles likes to keep busy. And there’s no let-up in sight for the actor, who first found fame as Red Dwarf ’s Dave Lister and went on to star as Lloyd Mullaney in Coronation Street. He’s added a third radio show to his CV – as well as The Craig Charles Funk And Soul Show and Radio 2’s House Party, he’s now
hosting a new weekday afternoon slot on BBC Radio 6.
Here, Craig tells us about the new show, an exciting project involving a former co-star and why a Corrie comeback isn’t on the cards…
Hi Craig! What was it like being offered a new radio show?
I was so chuffed. Radio 6 is a station for music lovers.To get a daytime show of my own has been a long-held aspiration.
What should listeners expect? People think that because I do the
Funk And Soul Show I’m a one-trick pony. But my record collection is massive. I’ve got a library filled with records. They’re up the walls – my wife calls them dust collectors. Point is, it contains a bit of everything, so the show is a really eclectic mix of music.
The show features guests – who would be your dream guest? Stevie Wonder. I would love to get him. The Funk And Soul Show has been going for 20 years and I still haven’t got him [laughs]. I’d also love Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney…
Do you like keeping busy?
Definitely. Lockdown nearly killed me, to be honest – all that time sat around in my pants watching Homes Under The Hammer. Normally, I gig all the time.To have that taken away was hard.
Do you still get recognised a lot for being in and
Corrie
Red Dwarf?
If I had a pound for every time someone called me
[Red Dwarf insult] “Smeghead”I wouldn’t be working any more [laughs].
Do you see Red Dwarf ever coming to an end? I’ve got no plans to end it and I don’t think any of the other lads have either. One day it will stop, but there are still plans in place to make more.
Are you in touch with any of your former Corrie co-stars?
Me and Simon Gregson are close friends. We’re working on a project with ex-Labour deputy leader Tom Watson and Johnny Vegas. It’s called Midlife Crisis. We play cards and whoever loses has to do something like dye their hair or jump out of a plane – all the things you do when you have a midlife crisis.
Would you return to Weatherfield?
I try not to look back.The only exception is Red Dwarf – that was the foundation for a lot of stuff, so I’m loyal to it. My brother died when I was on I’m A Celeb. He was only 52. I thought,“If I died suddenly, would I be happy with what I’d achieved?” The honest answer was no. So I promised myself I’d have new adventures. I wouldn’t have been able to do half the stuff I’ve done if I’d stayed in Coronation Street.
Is there anything you’d still like to achieve in your career?
I’ve been pretty lucky, you know, but I’m still doing new things. I’m hosting a new game show, Moneybags, on Channel 4 – that’s something I’ve never done before. Things are going really well for me at the moment.
Lastly, why does music mean so much to you? Because of my dad. He arrived in Liverpool in 1958 with a bag full of records. He danced to a different beat and brought me up to do the same. It’s stood me in really good stead.
Catch Craig Charles’ new weekday afternoon radio show airing Monday-Friday, 1-4pm, on BBC Radio 6 Music. His new game show, Moneybags, is on Monday-Friday, 3pm, on Channel 4
‘I wouldn’t return to Corrie. I try not to look back’