MY TV LIFE
Jimmy Akingbola
Londoner Jimmy, 42, stars as Koji in ITV’S seaside sitcom Kate & Koji
What was your first TV memory?
Theateam!and Knight Rider with KITT the iconic indestructible supercar. I’m really into martial arts so Monkey was a childhood favourite too and of course comedies like Desmond’s,the Real Mccoy and Only Fools And Horses.
Who was your first TV crush?
Lisa Bonet, definitely. She played Denise Huxtable onthe Cosby Show, the cool, gorgeous daughter.there was something edgy about her, something about her energy and vibe... and she had beautiful eyes. If I ever bumped into her, I would lose the power of speech.
What was your first TV appearance?
In Roger Roger, the comedy drama about a minicab firm written by John Sullivan. I only had a tiny part but I felt like I was in Fools And Horses because I was working with John. Such a great writer.
What is your favourite current show?
Succession – it’s a gem. It really raises the bar for drama. For me, it’s even better thanthe Wire and Breaking Bad. It blew me away.
Which TV show would you take to a desert island?
Something funny. Friends, because there are more than 200 episodes, and I’d smuggle in Fools And Horses as well.
What TV show would you like to put out of its misery?
I wasn’t a fan of Big Brother, but that’s gone, so it would have to be Made In Chelsea. I’m not a fan of that “reality” genre. I’d much rather watch a good comedy or drama or a decent documentary.
Guiltiest TV pleasure?
Theapprentice.that’s the exception to my no-reality rule. I get caught up in that. When he gives them the task, my brain starts going – how would I do that?
What are you up to at the moment?
I’m promoting Kate & Koji and I’m also in a show called Most Dangerous Game on a new platform called Quibi which specialises in short, high-quality drama episodes for mobile phones. Quick bites, big stories.
● Kate & Koji series one is now available on ITV Hub and Britbox. Most Dangerous Game, also starring Liam Hemsworth, is on quibi.com