Getting to know you

Soap legend Brian Capron, best known for his role as “Tricky Dicky” Hillman in Coronation Street, recently starred in Strictly Murder at the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy. Here, he comes clean about his life, likes and loathes

Q What has been your favourite acting role so far?

A My favourite TV role has to be Tricky Dicky for the sheer excitement, challenge, satisfaction and lateblooming success it gave me. In the theatre my favourite role was acting opposite Leslie Sharp at the National Theatre in London in a play called Harper Reagan because of the quality of the cast, writing and direction.

Q Theme song for your life?

A My wife would say Shut Up! by The Black Eyed Peas, because I have been known to talk too much.

Q Dream dinner party guests?

A Stewart Lee (unique stand-up), James O’Brien (Newsnight), Iris Murdoch (writer, philosopher), Mark Rylance (actor) and any of the girls from Pussy Riot (because I admire their brave stand against Putin’s Russia).

Q Last meal on earth?

A Fresh seafood on the Amalfi coast.

Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?

A I would invest some in a local project in Brighton where I live and with the rest I’d maybe buy a small place in South of France and also (maybe) give some to my children.

Q What are you proudest of?

A My part in helping Corrie to win its first BAFTA with the Richard Hillman storyline.

Q Quiet night in or big night out?

A Quiet night in and a binge with a TV box set and big glass of wine.

Q What’s your motto?

A This comes from a play called Zoo Story by Edward Albee: “Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long way out of your way in order to come back a short distance correctly.”

Q Couch potato or fitness fanatic?

A I hate gyms but I am not a couch potato, I’m always on the go and try to keep fit without doing anything consciously apart from watching my diet.

Q Rebel rebel or teacher’s pet?

A I suppose I’d have to say rebel having been expelled from school (long story).

Q Early or late?

A Dead on time I’d say. Actors lose work if they are late for interviews or work. I was once late for a class at drama school and the tutor dismissed me with this: “Latecomers are the scum of the earth, get out!” That did the trick for me.

Q What’s your most embarrassing moment?

A Being thrown off the show first in Strictly Come Dancing was pretty embarrassing.

Q Who do you admire most?

A The actor Mark Rylance for his integrity, talent and inspiration.

Q And who do you detest?

A Trump, no explanation needed.

Q Who would you like to thank?

A My wife and family for all their support over the years and maybe the bloke who I replaced in the main part of the school play, who had dropped out because he decided to leave school and go to work. That made me think about taking up a bizarre career called acting.

Q What was the worst punishment you had as a child?

A I’m old enough to remember caning...

Q Where would you rather be right now?

A I love my home but if I were to wish to be somewhere else it would be perhaps in our friend’s villa in Mallorca – stunning views, food and weather.

Q City break or weekend in the country? A A city break in New York, great food, Broadway and the buzz