FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ROBSON GREEN
What are you working on at the moment?
A series called Strike Back in which I play a lieutenant colonel in the British special forces trying to save the West from destruction.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m with my son – whatever he is doing. And he knows I’m at my happiest when I’m casting a line in one of the most idyllic rivers in Northumberland. What is your greatest fear? Being alone.
What is your earliest memory?
When I was three years old and my brother had just been born. All the women were cooing over him. He had centre stage, taking the limelight away from me. In a terrible bout of jealousy, when he was lying on the floor gurgling away with everyone cooing over him, I ran over him on my bike. I thought to myself at the age of three, ‘You will rue the day you were born.’
What do you most dislike about yourself?
It’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way; I can’t help but look in the mirror, because I get better-looking each day. To know me is to love me… Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, but I’m doing the best I can. I’m a deluded Newcastle United fan – that’s what I dislike.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Paul Newman. What got me into the industry was his performance in Cool Hand Luke. I’m a huge fan. What is your most treasured possession? The first picture my son painted for me. He was four years old.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Being desperate for recognition. What do you most dislike about your appearance? I have no toenails on my big toes.
What is your favourite book?
Animal Farm by George Orwell. It was the most thought-provoking and life-affirming read.
What is your favourite film?
It’s A Wonderful Life. I think it’s a great message. And your favourite piece of music? My first record. A novelty record by Ray Stevens – The Streak.
What is your favourite meal?
Panacalty: mince and sausages in a rich gravy with dumplings.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Assuming they would want to have dinner with me – Billy Connolly, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Meryl Streep, Lorraine Bracco and George Stephenson.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I don’t care what other people think of me – it’s what I think of me that counts. But when you’re young it has a profound effect on you. When I was 12 years old, I was playing for Dudley FC and my PE teacher pulled me off and said I looked like a delinquent kicking about a pig’s bladder. He said, ‘Green, you play football with a confidence that is wholly unwarranted.’ I couldn’t kick a ball for a long while after that.
Do you believe in aliens?
Of course.
What is your secret vice?
The Great British Bake Off and Air Crash Investigation.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, all the time.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘The world is full of wonderful folk and you have to try and meet as many of them as you can.’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
I’ve got such a good life.
Tell us one thing people might not know about you.
I was a Communist Party member. Not now.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
In really, really, small letters, so tiny you’d have to go up to my gravestone to be able to read it: ‘Boo!’
More Tales From Northumberland With Robson Green is on ITV, Mondays at 8pm.
A series called Strike Back in which I play a lieutenant colonel in the British special forces trying to save the West from destruction.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m with my son – whatever he is doing. And he knows I’m at my happiest when I’m casting a line in one of the most idyllic rivers in Northumberland. What is your greatest fear? Being alone.
What is your earliest memory?
When I was three years old and my brother had just been born. All the women were cooing over him. He had centre stage, taking the limelight away from me. In a terrible bout of jealousy, when he was lying on the floor gurgling away with everyone cooing over him, I ran over him on my bike. I thought to myself at the age of three, ‘You will rue the day you were born.’
What do you most dislike about yourself?
It’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way; I can’t help but look in the mirror, because I get better-looking each day. To know me is to love me… Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, but I’m doing the best I can. I’m a deluded Newcastle United fan – that’s what I dislike.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Paul Newman. What got me into the industry was his performance in Cool Hand Luke. I’m a huge fan. What is your most treasured possession? The first picture my son painted for me. He was four years old.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Being desperate for recognition. What do you most dislike about your appearance? I have no toenails on my big toes.
What is your favourite book?
Animal Farm by George Orwell. It was the most thought-provoking and life-affirming read.
What is your favourite film?
It’s A Wonderful Life. I think it’s a great message. And your favourite piece of music? My first record. A novelty record by Ray Stevens – The Streak.
What is your favourite meal?
Panacalty: mince and sausages in a rich gravy with dumplings.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Assuming they would want to have dinner with me – Billy Connolly, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Meryl Streep, Lorraine Bracco and George Stephenson.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I don’t care what other people think of me – it’s what I think of me that counts. But when you’re young it has a profound effect on you. When I was 12 years old, I was playing for Dudley FC and my PE teacher pulled me off and said I looked like a delinquent kicking about a pig’s bladder. He said, ‘Green, you play football with a confidence that is wholly unwarranted.’ I couldn’t kick a ball for a long while after that.
Do you believe in aliens?
Of course.
What is your secret vice?
The Great British Bake Off and Air Crash Investigation.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, all the time.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘The world is full of wonderful folk and you have to try and meet as many of them as you can.’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
I’ve got such a good life.
Tell us one thing people might not know about you.
I was a Communist Party member. Not now.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
In really, really, small letters, so tiny you’d have to go up to my gravestone to be able to read it: ‘Boo!’
More Tales From Northumberland With Robson Green is on ITV, Mondays at 8pm.