2001

The only other thing I ever considered doing for a living was teaching – I think I’d have been good at it. I played music teacher Neville Holder in the ITV comedy The Grimleys [far right, in series three], set in the West Midlands in the 1970s, with Amanda Holden and Brian Conley – we became great pals. It was written by Jed Mercurio, creator of Line Of Duty and Bodyguard. He spotted my potential in Slade In Flame, though I’d been ‘resting’ as an actor for 20 years! Since then I’ve had a cameo in the 40th anniversary live episode of Coronation Street, and appeared in Max & Paddy and Mrs Brown’s Boys. I’m always open to offers.