FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Jim Carter
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m producing and presenting a documentary on Lonnie Donegan the King of Skiffle to be shown on ITV in the spring.
When were you at your happiest?
At 11.35am on 29 October 1983 when Imelda and I turned to each other and said ‘Great’.
What is your greatest fear?
I’m not good with heights or long mask dramas.
What is your earliest memory?
I have little black-and-white photographs in an old family album from the 1950s, which I think are memories but might just be pieces of paper.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I can procrastinate until I am in the grips of a deep depression.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My gene pool and my wife, Imelda Staunton.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wedding ring and wedding album.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
I get bugged by small things like poor manners, lack of consideration for others, lateness.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
I’m glad I usually see myself from front-on because the side view is rather alarming.
What is your favourite book?
I can’t read books twice but I’m quite attached to the London A-Z.
What is your favourite film?
Sense And Sensibility would be right up there with the best.
And your favourite piece of music?
Born In Bethlehem by Lonnie Donegan or Merchants Lunch by The Red Clay Ramblers.
What is your favourite meal?
Full English breakfast in the garden with the newspaper and an empty diary.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Helen of Troy to see if she’s all she’s cracked up to be. Or Cleopatra if Helen already has a date. Lyle Lovett could sing in the background.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
Nothing springs to mind. But I do have selective hearing – and a selective memory.
Do you believe in aliens?
Why would I need to?
What is your secret vice?
Chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. Bliss. And not to be shared.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I always try to, and feel terrible on the many occasions that I forget.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Have you looked with your hands?’ and ‘How much?’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
A better-organised mind so I didn’t have so much clutter in my head.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I used to be a pretty good tightrope walker.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘I can still hear you, you know!’
Jim Carter presents A Concert For Remembrance Sunday at the Royal Festival Hall on 8 November at 7pm. For further information and tickets: www.raymondgubbay.co.uk
I’m producing and presenting a documentary on Lonnie Donegan the King of Skiffle to be shown on ITV in the spring.
When were you at your happiest?
At 11.35am on 29 October 1983 when Imelda and I turned to each other and said ‘Great’.
What is your greatest fear?
I’m not good with heights or long mask dramas.
What is your earliest memory?
I have little black-and-white photographs in an old family album from the 1950s, which I think are memories but might just be pieces of paper.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I can procrastinate until I am in the grips of a deep depression.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My gene pool and my wife, Imelda Staunton.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wedding ring and wedding album.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
I get bugged by small things like poor manners, lack of consideration for others, lateness.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
I’m glad I usually see myself from front-on because the side view is rather alarming.
What is your favourite book?
I can’t read books twice but I’m quite attached to the London A-Z.
What is your favourite film?
Sense And Sensibility would be right up there with the best.
And your favourite piece of music?
Born In Bethlehem by Lonnie Donegan or Merchants Lunch by The Red Clay Ramblers.
What is your favourite meal?
Full English breakfast in the garden with the newspaper and an empty diary.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Helen of Troy to see if she’s all she’s cracked up to be. Or Cleopatra if Helen already has a date. Lyle Lovett could sing in the background.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
Nothing springs to mind. But I do have selective hearing – and a selective memory.
Do you believe in aliens?
Why would I need to?
What is your secret vice?
Chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. Bliss. And not to be shared.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I always try to, and feel terrible on the many occasions that I forget.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Have you looked with your hands?’ and ‘How much?’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
A better-organised mind so I didn’t have so much clutter in my head.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I used to be a pretty good tightrope walker.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘I can still hear you, you know!’
Jim Carter presents A Concert For Remembrance Sunday at the Royal Festival Hall on 8 November at 7pm. For further information and tickets: www.raymondgubbay.co.uk