You Ask… Ian Bartholomew (Geoff)
Corrie’s Geoff Metcalfe ...faces your questions!
Corrie’s Geoff could have a lot of questions to answer when people find out how he’s been treating Yasmeen! But how will Ian fare when faced with your interrogation?
“What or who inspired you to be an actor?”
My dad. He was in the RAF – he was based in Sri Lanka during the war – and he had a three-piece singing band with two other guys from his unit. He used to take me to rehearsals for the local naval-base pantomime. He was a fantastic singer – that’s what he always wanted to do, but he never had the
chance. He died when
I was small, but my mum encouraged me because she knew he wanted to do it.
“Were you a Corrie fan prior to joining the show, and who’s your favourite-ever character?”
I used to watch it a lot. I got out of the habit recently, though, because I’d been doing so much theatre that I never had time. I know you can watch it on catch-up, but it’s not the same. I like watching a show when it goes out live! I remember it right from very early – because I’m quite old – so my favourite characters were Jack and Vera Duckworth. They always made me laugh.
“What did you get up to on your most recent day off ?”
Building a log cabin in my garden! It’s not quite finished – I’ve still got half the f loor to do, and I need to put the roof tiles on. At the moment it’s for storage, but it will probably be an office, and a kids’ play room.
“Do you reckon that Geoff would be a friend of yours?”
That’s so tough to answer, as the Geoff everyone sees is the Geoff everyone likes. Bad Geoff is a different person, and he hides that from the outside world, which is why he has friends! It’s difficult to recognise the traits that actually make someone into that sort of character.
“Where’s your favourite part of the Corrie set to film?”
On the Street itself! I’ve been on there this morning, and when you’re filming there you go, “I’m on Coronation Street!”
It’s great, I like it out there – you’re not inside a studio, there’s not artificial light. That’s my favourite bit.
“Had you worked with anyone in the Corrie cast before joining the show?”
“Who has been your most memorable co-star?”
I’d worked with Rula Lenska [Claudia], Stirling Gallacher [Paula] and Richard Hawley [Johnny] previously. I know a few other people who’ve been in Corrie before, and I knew Chris Gascoyne, who plays Peter, as well. It was good to be able to talk to people I knew beforehand, and ask their advice about how to approach things.
“What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?”
When I told my old drama teacher I wanted to be an actor, he said, “Find a job that has a little bit more security, and more chance of success”. I didn’t take any notice of him! I saw him a long time later and asked if he remembered what he said to me, and he said, “I remember every word – but you needed to make the decision for yourself”. He used reverse psychology on me to make me think about what I was doing. And it worked!
“You’ve done a lot of musical theatre, but which show has been your favourite to be in?”
Guys And Dolls. I’ve done it several times. It’s the best – it’s beautifully written and crafted, with great music and great scenes. They toured it for a long time to get it right, and it’s just a spectacular show.
“Are you better at singing or dancing?”
Singing! I used to dance, but the messages don’t get to the feet any more! But I still sing – that’s one of my passions. I sing in a band, and I write my own music.
“Is there a stage role that you would love to play?”
The MC in Cabaret – I’d love to do that. I’ve been close to it, but I’m still hopeful somebody out there will go, “Why don’t you do that?” Also, Willy Loman in Death Of A Salesman.
“Who has been your most memorable co-star?”
There’s a few – but most recently a chap called Charlie Stemp, who I was in Half A Sixpence with. Charlie was just a delight, because he’s unspoilt. He was really nice, and a fantastic dancer.
“Where’s the most exotic location that you’ve ever worked?”
Rome! I did a series for ABC called
Empire – there were two big series being made in Rome at the time, so it was full of English actors. On the days off, walking around Rome was stunning – and then days filming, we would be given access to places that the general public wouldn’t see. That was special.
“What has been the Corrie viewers’ reaction to how Geoff is treating Yasmeen?”
I’m not sure they’re happy that he’s mistreating her. People have always been very nice when they recognise me – but I don’t know if that will last. I might have to keep my head low, and start wearing a disguise!
“How have viewers reacted to how Geoff is treating Yasmeen?” “Have you played any characters who have a job that you reckon you’d be good at doing in real life?” …asks reader Janet Tozer from Thurrock