Wilson refused hit Victor Meldrew role
Actor Richard Wilson has revealed he originally turned down his famous role as Victor Meldrew.
The Scottish actor made his name playing the cantankerous protagonist in One Foot In The Grave but said he had to be talked into it because he thought he was too young.
Wilson 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.”
He went on to play the pensioner at war with middle-class suburbia for five series from 1990 to 1995, before returning for a final run in 2000.
Wilson, 80, is now resurrecting Victor for a performance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.