You’ll never believe it! Les was nearly Victor
HE is the cantankerous OAP whose catch-phrase has become a comedy classic.
But now actor Richard Wilson has revealed he originally turned down his career-defining role as crotchety Victor Meldrew.
In a revelation that will no doubt have fans crying ‘I don’t believe it’, the Scot said English comic Les Dawson had even been considered to play the curmudgeon in One Foot In The Grave.
Speaking to the Radio Times, Wilson, 80, who was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, said: ‘I was in my early 50s and Victor was 60. I turned it down.
‘I think Les Dawson was being considered; a very funny man but I don’t know if he could have played Victor.’
Producer Susan Belbin continued to pursue Wilson and, after reading more scripts, he was convinced. The actor went on to play the pensioner at war with middleclass suburbia for five series from 1990 to 1995, before returning for a final run in 2000.
Wilson is resurrecting Victor for a performance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, despite the fact he was killed off in the final episode of the BBC series.
The show will re-create writer David Renwick’s script for a 1993 episode called The Trial, which sees Victor waiting in the house, on a rainy day, on call for jury duty.
Half an hour with Victor will be followed by half an hour with Wilson himself, answering questions from the audience.
The actor promised fans that the OAP has not mellowed with age.
This week’s Radio Times is on sale today.