The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
West End star Brian James Leys, who hails from Dundee, reveals some insights into his life
Which actors, alive or dead, inspire you?
A Robin Williams, Laurence Olivier and Dame Judi Dench.
What was your plan B career-wise?
Never felt I needed one.
Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
iPhone of course.
Theme song for your life?
I’ll Be There For You (Friends).
Last meal on earth?
Unlimited coffee and croissants.
Dream dinner party guests?
Walt Disney, the Obamas, Princess Diana and my mum.
First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
Buy my mum a million pound house.
If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do?
Ban everything plastic.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
Prince Philip once insulted my tattoo.
Favourite holiday destination?
Scottish highlands.
What was the last book you read?
Make Your Bed by William H McRaven.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Croissants.
What makes you happy?
Laughing babies.
What makes you sad?
Crying babies.
Do you believe in aliens?
Absolutely.
What was the first album you ever bought?
Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods soundtrack.
If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?
1953 so I can witness the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
What is the best advice you have ever received and who did it come from?
My grandad: if a problem can be fixed stop worrying and FIX IT. If you can’t, what’s the point in worrying about it.
What do you do to unwind?
Drink whisky and listen to some sweet soul music.
Happiest memory?
Seeing granny and grandad in the audience at the Gardyne Theatre the very first time I performed.
And most embarrassing?
Watching my mother sat upon THE Smokey Robinson’s lap, rubbing his face telling him he had “affy bonnie skin”.
Biggest regret?
Not learning another language.
What are you proudest of?
My nephews.
Who do you admire most?
My best friend Tommy.
And who do you detest?
Most of today’s world leaders.
If you could turn back the clock what one thing would you change?
I’d learn several languages.
Who would you like to thank?
My family (especially mum) for all the help and encouragement over the years. It is because of them I’ll never give up.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t worry. Everything is going to happen and for a reason.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
Saying goodbye to my grandmother.
What keeps you awake at night?
Learning Bark the Musical harmonies
Write your own epitaph?
RIP Brian, killed by a pack of dyslexic zombies.