I’m obsessive about the BBC Radio 4 programme, Nigel Havers’ Ravers, the place you recount your experiences throughout the ecstasy-fuelled 90s summers of affection. I’ve by no means been certain if it was a) real, b) an excellent and unusual parody, or c) a fever dream of my very own creativeness. What’s the reality, Nigel? UncleMonty
I simply don’t bear in mind it, so I’m Googling it … “Dermot O’Leary, Nigel Havers Ravers, the definitive information to the 90s underground rave scene from a person who lived by way of it.” Raves are the place folks go mad, take a load of medicine and dance all night time, proper? I don’t assume I’ve been to a rave in my life. I should have been bullshitting.
I had you in my cab as soon as in Sydney, the place you had been expounding to your fellow passengers that you could possibly determine the drama college of any younger performer on stage. That was 35 years in the past, mate. Nonetheless the case, you reckon? moodmeister
I don’t know what I meant by that, so I’m afraid that’s additionally bollocks.
Do you continue to ask parked motorists to modify off their engines? gregc1381
On a regular basis. I faucet on the window and say: “Do you thoughts turning your engine off?” The bulk go: “Oh, sorry, fairly proper,” however a couple of do say: “Fuck off, what are you speaking about?” I carry just a little card that explains that an idling exhaust expels 150 balloons stuffed with poisonous air per minute. If no one idled in Higher London tomorrow, it will minimize air pollution by a 3rd. I do know this as a result of I used to be a Cease Idling ambassador for Westminster Council. I’m a fierce anti-idler.
Do you could have a portrait in your attic that’s mysteriously ageing? You look precisely the identical as you probably did 40 years in the past. Megatron66
Sure, however don’t inform anybody.
Did you take pleasure in working with Michael Caine if you performed his son within the 1986 film, The Whistle Blower? Splutterer
He was completely sensible. He took me out to lunch the week earlier than we began taking pictures and mentioned: “Nigel, are you gonna discuss like me or shall I posh up?” I mentioned: “I believe it is best to posh up.” He mentioned: “No worries.” On the primary day, they went: “Motion” and he went [does Michael Caine impression]: “Good day, son.” That was his posh-up. It was implausible. We nonetheless see one another often. He nonetheless calls me “son”.
Empire of the Solar was one of many first western-made movies to shoot in China. What was that like? MarkFilmgoer
We weren’t there very lengthy, to be trustworthy. The suburbs of Shanghai had been truly Ascot and the focus jail camp was in Jerez in Spain. We had been solely in China for about 10 days.
Did Hollywood come calling after Chariots of Fireplace’s Oscar haul? Galdove19No. We didn’t count on to win on the Oscars. Afterwards, we went to those large events and [producer] David Puttnam mentioned: “Tomorrow, I need you to fulfill three movie administrators …” I mentioned: “I can’t, I’ve received to return tomorrow to movie Jackanory,” and flew again, therefore why I’m not dwelling in Bel Air …
How did you’re feeling filming the great seaside scene in Chariots? DeborahGeller
It was a protracted, lengthy day. Every take was a mile. A month later, David Puttnam mentioned there was an issue growing the movie – there was a scratch – so we needed to do it once more. However the climate and the waves had been a lot better second time.
Do you hum the theme music to Chariots of Fireplace to your self? strcilovo
I hum all of it day, every single day.
You have got a capability to make a TV character linger within the viewer’s thoughts after the present. Is that one thing you do consciously? MountainAspect
Completely not. As I’ve at all times mentioned, I’m a letterbox actor. A script comes by way of the letterbox. I do it.
In the event you may select a stunning venture – one which fully goes in opposition to the grain of what the viewers expects – what would it not be? SpoonfulMeshuggah
I’d prefer to play a villain in a gangster movie, ideally directed by Man Ritchie. I do really feel typecast enjoying the good English man, however I by no means complain as a result of I’m simply fortunate to be forged. I’ll have a phrase with Man Ritchie. I did pop up in The Gents … pissed. I’ve performed a nasty man, in The Charmer. He was so dangerous, I believed: “Is it a good suggestion?” Then ITV mentioned: “We wish to do one other one.” I mentioned: “How can we? I’m useless! They hold me!” They mentioned: “There are methods we will get round that.” Years in the past – Barbara Broccoli [producer] is a superb buddy of mine – I put it about that I used to be going to be the following Bond villain, and it was all around the web. Barbara rang and mentioned: “I perceive you’re enjoying the villain?” I mentioned: “Can I?” She mentioned: “Solely in case you have cosmetic surgery to seem like you’re Korean.”
I’ve seen you at Craven Cottage. Are you a Fulham fan? ArthurScagfoot
I’ve been an ideal Fulham fan since I used to be a young person and will stroll to the stadium. So is Hugh Grant, though we’ve by no means been collectively – however I’ve requested. The final time, he mentioned: “I can’t come, I’m filming, however throw one other coin on the linesman for me.”
What possessed you to enter the [I’m A Celebrity] Jungle? LeeBirch
It was an enormous mistake. I’d by no means watched the present, so I had no thought what it entailed. You assume it appears to be like dangerous on TV. Shit, it was horrible. It was the boredom greater than something. There was a bloke referred to as Lembit Öpik, the politician. After a few days, I needed to kill him. Had I stayed, I’d’ve killed him and I’d be in jail now. So it appeared like a good suggestion to depart.
How was making Farewell to the King? It regarded fairly gruelling! writeronthestorm
John Milius is an unbelievable author/director. Nick Nolte grew to become an ideal mate. He wasn’t scared of a pint, put it like that. He may drink anybody underneath the desk. Within the morning, he was so hungover, he’d have his make-up executed mendacity down on a mattress within the jungle. He’s a beautiful actor, however they’d go: “Motion,” and he’d go “[mumbles low, rough voice]”, and I’d must say: “Sorry, Nick, I don’t perceive a fucking phrase you’re saying.”
How a lot enjoyable was it enjoying keyboardist Tony Pebble in A Lifetime of Rock With Brian Pern? Aubrey26
Nice enjoyable. Individuals believed we had been an actual band. One Sunday night time within the West Finish, we did a present and it was fully full. Actors do harbour a secret need to be rock stars. I was a rock star. My brother and I had been in a band referred to as January and launched a report in 1968. We had the lengthy hair, hooray hippy look. I’m certain photographs exist, however gladly, I can’t appear to search out any.
Watching you in Don’t Wait Up was one among my formative experiences rising up within the Nineteen Eighties. No different man in my life has ever lived as much as Dr Tom Latimer. Please inform me you loved making it as a lot as I loved watching it? AtheneBergen
I’ve to say it was one of many happiest instances. They don’t repeat it, do they? I believe the BBC assume it’s too posh to repeat.
Who would you wish to play you in a biopic? ThankYouJohn
Theo James, as a result of he’s so handsome. I can play the villain.
Has Nigel Farage ruined being referred to as Nigel for all different Nigels? PickleMan
No, as a result of Nigel is such an terrible identify. Nobody has been christened Nigel for 20 years. Extra folks have been christened Lucifer than Nigel. It’s already ruined. Can we all hang around, me, Farage, Planer, Lawson, Kennedy? No. However somebody as soon as wrote to me and mentioned yearly they’ve a Nigel get-together, would I like to come back? I believed: “Christ. A load of Nigels within the room, I can’t consider something worse …”
As instructed to Wealthy Pelley
Supply hyperlink
