Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Comedian and actor best known for roles in 'Marion and Jeff' and 'Gavin and Stacy'.
On the island
Eight records
this reminds me of a time I spent in Australia uh shooting a show called Supernova. So this brings back so many happy memories of Sydney. It's a lovely, warm song. Uh we had it at our wedding and it makes me smile.
normally I'd choose a 70s Elvis song... But I was worried that my choices had a slight air of oral Moggadon to them. So I thought instead I'd choose something with a bit more spirit to it, which I think on a desert island would be welcome.
Born to RunFavourite
Bruce Springsteen, who I adore, is such a great artist. It's an obvious choice, but it would be very galvanizing on a desert island born to run.
This is just one of my favourite sketches. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, who I grew up loving. And this is a sketch that I'd have because it reminds me of my childhood. It was a big hit in our house. And my dad and I still use these phrases.
I'm sort of killing two birds with one stone here because it's from Sweeney Todd and I love Sondheim. If I ever did a musical that's really what I'd like to do.
this is the theme music from Human Remains because it's so evocative of that time in my life.
I love James Taylor. I love you see James Taylor, Paul Simon, I love what they do with their lyrics. And this song it just really resonates with me about acting, the business and about life.
In conversation
Presenter asks
6:12What was the key to Uncle Bryn [in Gavin and Stacey]?
What I like about Bryn and what I tried to bring out of him in the in the second and third series was this kind of irritable side to him and how he reacts under stress, which is something I've always been interested in... Now, with Bryn, he uh he gets he can get very anxious. I find that very enjoyable to play.
Presenter asks
10:39What are your strongest memories from being a very little boy [in Port Talbot]?
Well, we lived in Baglan, which is very green in its own way, although it had BP, which at that time is not there now, was Europe's biggest petrochemical plant and it had the steelworks. But if you go inland, you've got these fantastic mountains, and if you just go a little bit further along the coast, you're at the Gower, which is, you know, absolutely breathtaking.
Presenter asks
13:06When you walked on stage then [as a teenager], can you recall the feeling?
Just felt like I was at home, you know, this is what I do, this feels right. It's because, you know, when I was in classes, I didn't really have a clue. I didn't I was detached, just felt like this is where I should be.
The keepsakes
The book
Dylan Thomas
I would take Complete Dylan Thomas because it would remind me of Wales.
The luxury
I love music, you see, and if I wasn't doing this, I'd love to be a musician. So I would take an eternally tuned guitar. And I would learn to play it.
Presenter asks
14:43Were you always very, very confident?
I got very, very bad acne as a teenager. I mean, you know, really bad. So that does affect your confidence. But in a sort of way, when it came to girls, I could always talk to them and be funny with them and make them laugh, but I never have the confidence to kind of move in for the kiss. Also, I didn't drink.
Presenter asks
17:01Tell me what happened [when your career got stuck in a cul-de-sac]?
Well, I was at drama college and in the second year of drama college the BBC, uh Radio Wales, they got to know me and I would do voices for them and then out of the blue they offered me a radio show... and ended up doing about six years of radio and television in Wales, uh being a DJ. Then I was working on the shopping channel for Sky, so I was driving up and down to London. And when you're doing that, understandably casting directors don't want to know, you know.
Presenter asks
24:59What can you tell me about the tumult [of your first marriage ending]?
Well, uh my first marriage, you know, uh ended. So it was a very, very to refer you back to the word I used earlier, and to lighten the moment with a humorous voice, Kirsty uh a tumultuous time... because on the one hand you're being told you're wonderful, but you don't feel wonderful'cause you feel like you're failing.
“I distinctly remember watching the British Comedy Awards in Cardiff, and it appearing to be another planet. And I didn't see how I could ever possibly be a part of that.”
“I'm far more fussed about my family life than I am about the work. Maybe because of being divorced and remarrying. That's far more important to me... And it's far more rewarding than anything you will ever do in your work, ever.”
“I think you uh appreciate moments more because you're aware of how quickly they pass. When you're first having children, you you don't realize that these times don't stick around. They're gone in the wink of an eye.”