MY TV LIFE

Jon Culshaw

IMPRESSIONIST Jon, 51, stars in the long-running Dead Ringers on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Two.

What was your first TV memory?

The Jon Pertwee era of Doctorwho in the early 70s – either The Daemons episode or

The Sea Devils. I was instantly hooked. I loved being frightened by it but in the comfort of my own living room so I knew the Doctor would prevail and all would be fine.

Who was your first TV crush?

Leela – an amazing Doctorwho companion. Louise Jameson played her. I remember her saying “You get a lot of attention when your costume consists of shammy leather and you’re on after the football results”.

What was your first TV appearance?

On Sky Star Search, a talent show on Sky hosted by Keith Chegwin in 1990. I was a DJ and was voicing adverts for local businesses. People encouraged me to develop my mimicry so I put a few gags together with a friend and won my heat. Hilary O’neil and Derek Nimmo were the judges.

What is your favourite current show?

I rather like The Repair Shop. In a fractious, complex world, it’s all about warmth and goodness and generosity – all things we desperately need more of. I often imagine the Dead Ringers sketch we’d do around that.

Which TV show would you take to a desert island?

I’d take all the Laurel and Hardy films.they were so innovative and brilliant and they’re still as fresh as ever.you just can’t help but smile. I love the rapport between Stan and Ollie.

What TV show would you like to put out of its misery?

Love Island worries me.too many programmes make a virtue of shallowness and ignorance. It’s not healthy to aspire to be liked on Instagram and I dislike the culture of fame without talent. It’s a sad state of affairs.there is no substance to shows like this.

Guiltiest TV pleasure?

Tipping Point! It’s perfect for my afternoon tea break. I love it when the chippy, over-ambitious ones don’t win.

What are you up to at the moment?

I’m just going on tour with a live version of Dead Ringers, and we’ll be back for a new series on

Radio 4 this summer.

I also do a lot of the Doctor Who Big

Finish audio series.

I play Brigadier Lethbridgestewart.

● Jon Culshaw’s

The Great

British Take Off (jonculshaw.com) is at Palace Theatre, Southend, tonight and touring until April 17.