Questions for Vicki Pepperdine
Nominated for several BAFTAs for writing hit comedy series like Getting On, Vicki has acted with everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and John Hamm to David Jason and Steve Coogan, as well as appearing in Miranda. She currently plays Princess Anne in the irreverent Royal Family comedy The Windsors. The latest series is out on DVD this week.
THE WINDSORS. HARD WORK OR GREAT FUN?
Both. Everyone wants it to succeed, and you have to work hard to get a joke going, but we do a lot of corpsing. I lose my place laughing when Hugh Skinner (William) or Katie Wix (Fergie) do their stuff.
HAVE YOU MET ANY OF THE ROYALS?
I’ve met Philip, Charles and Princess Margaret. I don’t know anyone close to them so I haven’t heard their reaction to the show.
EVER FEEL DAFT DOING QUIRKY ROLES LIKE PRINCESS ANNE?
Every single time, but there’s so much enjoyment to be had. Mo Farah said: “Train hard, win easy.” That’s how I feel about acting.
WOULD THERE BE A ROYAL FAMILY AT ALL IN VICKI WORLD?
Nothing against them but I’m in to everyone collaborating in life, no big gaps between the rich and poor. So, no!
WHO INSPIRED YOU?
Alison Steadman. I’d loved her in Abigail’s Party when I was younger. I’ve now met her socially and she’s lovely. I’d like to write a role for her one day.
DID YOU KNOW EARLY ON THAT YOU’D BE AN ACTRESS?
No, I didn’t apply myself at school. I messed around and then came to acting in my late twenties.
WERE YOUR FAMILY PERFORMERS?
No, though they’re from The Wirral near Liverpool. They say all Scousers are performers, don’t they?
EVER REMEMBERED ADVICE FROM ANOTHER ACTOR?
As a youngster I had a crush on James Bolam in The Likely Lads, then we ended up working together on New Tricks. I complained to him that I felt I was playing the exact role I’d done in Getting On, and he said: “Always do the same thing in the same suit. Done it all my life.” Very self-deprecating.
WHAT’S YOUR ATTITUDE TO THE AFTERLIFE?
After my mum died I felt her stay with me for about 40 days, so I did all the things she liked – going to cafes, garden centres, stuff like that. Then her spirit just faded away.
YOU HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW DO YOU SPEND IT?
Looking at the sea and nature’s beauty. I’ve been away filming for a month so it’s important to smell the flowers, isn’t it? Then after my 24 hours are up, I’ll be like my mum, hanging around for another 40
days (laughs)!