I can’t Fawlty Cleese or Jason. It’s a toss-up for funniest
The 78-year-old A Touch Of Frost actor reveals his favourite boxset, movies and comedy actors
What is your favourite TV programme?
I absolutely love Father Brown. It’s about a priest who fancies himself as a bit of an amateur detective and it’s a very good show. I went on a tour of the stage play of Father Brown four years ago, we spent three months going all over the country.
What films could you watch over and over again?
Fargo with Frances McDormand, she’s
a brilliant actress and that’s a fantastic film. Even going back to Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, that is such a wonderful film. But in this country, we have one of the greatest film actors in Anthony Hopkins. The Remains Of The Day is just wonderful. I’ve watched that three or four times now, I can’t get enough of it. The Odd Couple is also on my list of favourite films. You will laugh and laugh until you cry, even if you’ve seen it 10 times. The writing is wonderful and the acting is superb. Are you into boxsets? Over the past few years, my wife Ann
The Last Word
and I have got into boxsets. The best series ever has to be The Sopranos. Those characters are incredible to watch and James Gandolfini, who plays Tony Soprano, was excellent.
Who are the funniest people on TV?
For me it’s a toss-up between John Cleese in Fawlty Towers and David Jason in Only Fools And Horses. Fawlty Towers I can watch over and over again, and it will always be fantastic. But I have worked alongside David for many years and know him very well. He’s an acting genius and so generous with other actors. Even though he was the star of the show, he didn’t want it to all be about him. He wanted everybody to be part of it and have their own little bits, which is very unusual for a leading actor.
You’re also starring in the play Dead Lies which has been postponed until 2022 due to Covid. What’s your character like?
Dead Lies is a political thriller. It’s about Peter George, who’s running to become our next Prime Minister. I play Fleet Street political reporter Alan Parfitt. Alan is around 70 and he’s been a journalist all his life. He’s never been married and, over the years, he’s become a bit of a cynic. He’s a bitter old devil. It is a very, very good play and it’s a pleasure to be working with such great actors and actresses.
The Odd Couple is on my list of favourite films. You laugh and laugh until you cry, even if you’ve seen it 10 times.