Victor Meldrew: Fall ruined my memory
Actor Richard Wilson still suffers
ONE Foot in the Grave star Richard Wilson has opened up about his memory being “destroyed a bit” after a fall which nearly killed him.
The 84-year-old, who played grumpy Victor Meldrew, hit his head after suffering a heart attack in 2016 and is still suffering from the after effects.
He said: “I do get quite tired about not being able to walk as I used to and having to use a stick, but that is frustration more than grumpiness. The same goes for my memory, which has got worse since I had a heart attack four years ago in Hampstead, where I live.
“I fell off a balcony while I was waiting to meet a writer for coffee. As I did so, I hit my head, which caused a bleed in the brain. That’s why my memory has been destroyed a bit. As a result, I’m more forgetful – but not more grumpy.”
Richard starred in the BBC sitcom between 1990 and 2000, winning a Bafta for best light entertainment performance in 1992 and 1994. The actor said he has toned down his own grumpiness after a run-in with youths in Regent’s Park.
He told The Oldie magazine: “A couple of years ago, I pointed out to a young fellow on a bicycle that it was against the rules and he shouted, Shut up, you old c***.” It was threatening and I was frightened. I said to myself, ‘I had better not do that any more.’”
In 2000 writer David Renwick killed off Victor in a hit-and-run accident. The character, famous for his catchphrase “I Don’t Believe It!”, popped up as a ghost in a 2001 Comic Relief sketch.
Richard said: “David and I went out for dinner one night. The series had been running for 10 years. He said he was thinking of killing Victor off. I said, ‘Yeah, kill him!’ I was fed up of thinking of new ways of being grumpy and was glad to see the back of him .” Of his famous catchphrase, he said: “People still say it to me, a bit less now than they used to. I’ve got so used to it. If I hear it, I just wave and walk on. I realise people associate me with Victor.”
I’m more forgetful, but I’m getting less grumpy as I get older RICHARD WILSON STAR OF ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE