FIRST IMPRESSIONS: CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS
It’s a wonderful cartoon character called Myro, which is a little micro plane that goes to Australia and has adventures. And also doing the pantomime.
When were you at your happiest?
All of my life I have been at my happiest. I’m very ‘up’.
What is your greatest fear?
I’m not afraid of death, I suppose I’m frightened of the way I might die. Ideally, I would just like to go to bed and never wake up again.
What is your earliest memory?
Sitting in my pram in Salisbury and just laughing, I think.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Oh dear, what a difficult one! I suppose my greatest infl uence from an early age has to be a woman called Mrs Christian who taught me elocution lessons at school. She also saw something in me, a theatrical light I suppose.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I suppose one of the things is my punctuality, I have to be on time all of the time – it’s an early theatrical thing that was drummed into me.
What is your most treasured possession?
Probably my Sky+ Box. I love the fact that I can create my own TV channel so that all of the things I want to watch are there: documentaries, Homeland, Strictly Come Dancing and Hunted, all those programmes you don’t want to miss. Because I live such a busy life, it is wonderful to be able to watch things you absolutely adore.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Honesty. Sometimes a little white lie can be kinder.
Do you have a fantasy address?
Probably it would be where Shakespeare’s Globe theatre is, across the river from St Paul’s Cathedral – that would be the most beautiful sight in London.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My appearance hasn’t changed much but, if I were 20-years old, I would like to have the body of David Beckham. But as that’s not going to happen, I’m very happy to have the body of Christopher Biggins.
What is your all-time favourite book?
I love thrillers and John Grisham’s books come to mind, especially The Client, it’s very good indeed.
What is your favourite film?
It has to be The Sound Of Music.
Your favourite record or piece of music?
Anything written by Stevie Wonder – all of them. But I think I Just Called To Say I Love You is fantastic.
Your favourite meal?
Italian food, and in particular very fine pasta with aioli, which is garlic and oil.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
The Queen, because I think she has had such a fantastic year and I’d like to have a little chat with her about that. And David Beckham, because I adore him and I want to check his body. And also Joan Collins.
Which historical character do you most admire?
Nero. I played him once and felt very close to him.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
When someone does say something nasty, you put it to the back of your mind. A theatre critic said that my laugh was distracting during a play, which was rubbish – he had a vendetta against me.
Do you believe in aliens?
I don’t, but I’d like to.
What is your secret vice?
Going to bed in the afternoon and watching the telly.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I do.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Marvellous.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I suppose lots and lots of money.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
He laughed and we laughed with him.
Christopher Biggins is appearing in Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, until 19 January: www.theatreroyal.com