90s sitcom legend admits he's ‘not against' returning for show reboot – despite failing to rejoin cast
The actor starred in the multiple Emmy-award winning show - but failed to rejoin his fellow stars on a recent reboot.
4
4
Frasier star David Hyde Pierce - aka Niles - refrained from joining the 2023 revival - but hasn't shot down the chance of another appearance.
Speaking about his latest venture in Broadway's Pirates! The Penzance Musical, he shared: "I did not think it would hinge on my participation.
"I thought it should move on from what we were doing," he told Variety.
"When Frasier happened, he didn't bring the gang from Cheers. It was successful because they made it something different.
"Creatively, I thought, I have nothing else. I don't think I'm going to be much fun or be that enthusiastic about returning."
David said about a possible return: "If there was a reason for me to appear, I'm not against it at all."
The 2023 revival introduced son Freddy, played by Jack Cutmore-Scott and introduced Only Fools star Nicholas Lyndhurst as Alan Cornwall in the sitcom.
Although the recent revival was axed by Paramount+ after two seasons, Kelsey admitted he still wanted to find a new space for the show.
Kelsey previously told the New York Post: "There's a better home for it. We'll end up somewhere where people are passionate about it.
"Ted [Danson] and I might visit actually something together.
Nicholas Lyndhurst features as Frasier's best friend Alan Cornwall in iconic sitcom's reboot
"We've been talking about a couple ideas. Maybe on Frasier. We don't know.
"As long as it's still a relevant relationship, it will still be relevant for the show,' he added.
"[Sam] and Frasier got along pretty well, discovered some things together about life. They could still do that."
The Cheers spin-off ran between 1993 and 2004 and followed the lives of Frasier, his brother Niles and their dad Martin (John).
David Hyde Pierce played Niles alongside Kelsey Grammer, Jane Leeves, John Mahoney and Peri Gilpin for 11 seasons.
Cast members also included Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle and Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith Sternin.
Sadly, John, who played Martin Crane, died back in 2018 aged 77.
4
4
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Breaking the Binary: meet the founder behind a US theater company for trans and non-binary artists
For George Strus, theater was one of many roving interests during their childhood in northern New Jersey. First, there was baseball. Then, a short stint in ice skating. 'I was really into Webkinz for like, two months,' said the 27-year-old during a phone interview. A fixation on Sillybandz, the brightly colored, animal shaped rubber bracelets, soon followed. But, a musical being produced at their local YMCA caught Strus's attention. Seussical the Musical, to be exact, a comedy based on the works of author Dr Seuss. 'I saw the ad in the paper at the time, so I auditioned for the show and got in', they said. A tiny role in Seussical catapulted Strus's love for the art form. They began checking out cast albums from the library, used their minimum wage job in high school to pay for cheap Broadway tickets. Now, as a young adult, Strus leads Breaking the Binary Theatre (BTB), a new work development incubator specifically for transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) artists. The BTB community and transness has been 'life changing', said Struss, who is trans, non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.'The community I've met through BTB has shaped me as a human,' they said. '[It] really solidified my personal value system and helped me understand so much more about the world and what freedom can mean when you strip yourself of any inhibitions that society has put on you.' BTB Theatre, founded by Strus in July 2022, is a revelation, one of the only theatrical spaces created for and run by gender-expansive artists. BTB employees, who help facilitate the organization's many projects, are based in New York and at other theater hubs in the US, onboarding throughout the year according to the organization's needs. The group doesn't have a formal theatre space, preferring to stay 'nimble' in response to the community's varying needs, said Strus. Instead, group members meet virtually and collaborate around specific projects. 'I'm really thinking about how BTB can best be serving our community in a moment where the circumstances around are changing and shifting ever so rapidly every day,' they said. BTB oversees a rotation of initiatives for artists in various roles within the theater industry. The theater hub hosts an annual reading series, with work written and presented by TNB2S+ creatives. The series, which sells out annually, features a mix of artists at varying career levels. Emerging playwrights will often work alongside veteran actors and directors. Noted participants of the program include L Morgan Lee, the first openly trans performer to receive a Tony award nomination, playwright and TV writer Jen Silverman, and actor Indya Moore, who starred in the FX series Pose. The organization also hosts their free 'summer intensive' for six TNB2S+ performers, a coveted chance to work with Lee on audition materials, storytelling and how to engage with an industry that is often prickly towards trans artists. BTB also produces a zine every year for Trans Day of Visibility on 31 March, commissioning writers to contribute. The group will be going to Edinburgh festival fringe in late July through August to produce Red Ink, a one-woman show by trans activist and artist Cecilia Gentili. Gentili suddenly passed in February 2024, an 'earth shattering [moment] for so many people', said Strus. Even following Gentili's death, Strus and other producers wanted to continue producing the show with trans artists who could inhibit Gentili's artistry. 'We found that it was really fruitful to hear other people do it [and] stepping in to keep stories and her spirit and her work alive,' said Strus. A posthumous, off-Broadway production of Red Ink last June starring actors Jes Tom, Angelica Ross and Peppermint raised over $35,000 for various organizations, including Trans Power in Diversity. The latest iteration at the Edinburgh festival will feature performer Chiquitita, one of Gentili's chosen daughters. '[When] I'm thinking about people who could actually take this work on and honor the legacy of the work and the ways that we wanted to, Chiquitita was the perfect person,' Strus said. Strus's day-to-day tasks rarely look the same, especially as they juggle work as a commercial theater producer. There's draft announcements that need to be sent to BTB Theatre's press representative as they gear up for a summer show and a script that Strus needs to give notes on. There's also payroll for BTB artists, offer letters that need to be emailed out for upcoming projects, and play readings to attend, all in the pursuit of more TNB2S+ creatives. Strus's mother asked about Strus's work-life balance during a recent visit to the city, bringing up the subject with a slight touch of concern. In response, Strus responded that they 'do not really have one'. 'My hobby is also the thing I work in. I'm really blessed that the thing that pays my bills is also the thing I'm most passionate about in the world,' Strus said. 'So much of my life revolves around the theater, I wouldn't have it any other way.' Strus's journey with gender predates the creation of BTB, they said, but the creation of the organization remains integral to their own self-discovery. They first started questioning their identity in 2019, and those questions intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'When the world shut down, it was something I had a lot more time to think about,' said Strus. 'When you take away all of the distractions of work and socializing and you just have time to sit with your own thoughts, you really learn a lot about yourself.' Being trans, said Strus, has been the greatest blessing. 'I don't even know I have words to explain, because I don't think words exist that can encapsulate the gift that it is.' At the time, Strus was working as an agent at the now defunct A3 Artists agency. By chance, Strus began representing a number of TNB2S+ artists: costume designer Qween Jean, playwright Reid Tang, and others. That work experience proved foundational, defining 'where my understanding of community really came from'. Even now, Strus said, TNB2S+ creatives and their work was seen as 'not being profitable'. 'My philosophy around that was different,' said Strus. 'I want to work with artists I'm interested in, and art that excites me. I think naturally, that was the connective tissue. With all those artists, their work excited me and maybe it had something to do with transness, even if I didn't know at the time. But I also wonder if it had to do with [the fact that] these artists couldn't find homes elsewhere, so I was like the agent that was willing to or interested in working with them.' Months later, Strus was hired by Second Stage Theater in New York City to work as the manager of artistic development. As a part of the role, Strus attended a mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training. Facilitators presented a visual called the 'wheel of diversity' to the group. '[The image] said diversity in the middle and then around the word were all of the sort of things you should think about when you're trying to build a diverse group of people: race, ethnicity, age, gender, class, for example.' Strus realized that each represented group had a theater company made specifically for them, except TNB2S+ artists. Black artists had the National Black Theatre. Older creatives had the Mind the Gap initiative with New York Theatre Workshop. 'There [was] no company specifically focusing on trans and non-binary artists,' said Strus. A close friend, dramaturg Sarah Lunnie, was one of the first people Strus talked to about their discovery, the fact that there was no theatrical home for gender-expansive artists. Lunnie gave them two directives: write a short blurb about the project and tell at least three people. Heeding Lunnie's advice, Strus began to tell anyone who would listen, peaking the interests of others who had felt left out in theater's narrow binaries. Eight months later, BTB was born. Creating art as a TNB2S+ artist continues to be difficult as the Trump administration escalates its attacks against the community. Republicans have tried to malign gender-expansiveness and legislate out the existence of trans and non-binary people. As BTB's founder, Strus is trying to prepare for potential attacks, especially as the group has only ever operated under the Biden administration. But, in the meantime, Strus noted that they find 'great solace in what our community is able to do for one another, and how we're able to uplift each other in this moment'. When it comes to creating art in times of far-right extremism, Strus added: '[Trump's agenda] is a reason for me to stop and think about how we can do it the most safely, but it's not a reason to stop doing it.'
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I starred in Only Fools & Horses and Lock, Stock… now I run Kray twins crime tour & sell cannabis from the Caribbean
MEAN MACHINE I starred in Only Fools & Horses and Lock, Stock… now I run Kray twins crime tour & sell cannabis from the Caribbean 'SO HAS the interview started yet?' Vas Blackwood asks, as wind chimes rattle softly in the background. He's speaking over the phone from the Caribbean where he's polishing a film script which he plans to star in. Advertisement 32 Actor Vas Blackwood splits his time between London and the Caribbean Credit: Vas Blackwood 32 Vas running a Kray twins tour in East London Credit: BRIT MOVIE TOURS 32 During his breakout performance in Only Fools and Horses as Lennox Gilbey Credit: IMBD 'I'm pleased with it, the funds have gone into bond, so we'll see what happens,' he explains. The 62-year-old is not necessarily an actor that everyone knows by name - but many of his characters have achieved cult status. His one-off turn as Lennox 'The Shadow' Gilbey in a 1986 episode of beloved BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, for one. Another is gangster Rory Breaker in Guy Ritchie's 1998 film debut Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Advertisement The director told him during casting that he'd been a fan ever since he saw him as Winston in The Lenny Henry Show in the late 80s. 'Lennox!' When he's back in the UK, where he has a North London base, he says he gets stopped all the time by people shouting 'Lennox!'. I tell him he's a British TV and film icon and he laughs, saying: 'I feel blessed every day.' A jobbing actor all his life, dad-of-three Vas never stops working. Whenever he's not shooting, he can be found running a Kray twins tour in East London's underbelly. Advertisement 'I start at the Blind Beggar and roll from there,' he explains. 'I bring in the whole gangster thing, but it's centred on Ronnie and Reggie. 'There's a couple of locations from Lock, Stock and I talk about modern gangsters - by the time we're done, you are a gangster,' he adds, laughing. Gary Lineker tops BBC best-paid list with Naga Munchetty among biggest earners amid 'bullying' row as salaries revealed "It's all fun with Uncle Vas." But there's another reason for him being in the Caribbean: he's putting the finishing touches to his latest venture - a medicinal cannabis brand named after his Lock, Stock character. Advertisement 'The Caribbean's going to be like Rory's sauce - Rory's sauce is coming from the Caribbean,' he says. 'I'm ironing out things whilst I'm here. It comes straight from the film - they take my cannabis and try to sell it back to me. It's a declaration of war! 'I'm working on slogans for it, I've got one: 'I'll chill ya',' he says. Rory's sauce It's currently illegal to sell products in the UK containing THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, but Vas is planning ahead. Advertisement In several Caribbean nations, for example, the drug has been legalised for medical purposes. 'We'll start with CBD oils, things like that, without THC,' he says, referring to his plans for the UK market. 32 Vas is possibly best known as Rory Breaker in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Credit: IMBD 32 Vas with his Lock, Stock cast mates, including Jason Statham Credit: Handout Advertisement 32 Vas and Jones remain close friends Credit: Roger Donovan 'In the Caribbean it's legal, in the sense you can apply and get a licence to use medicinal marijuana and then go to your chemist. 'This is what's going to be happening in the UK in the not too distant future. This is for life.' He goes on to say: 'It's so structured with the THC, it's very controlled. You don't have to hang around with someone on a street corner to score a bit of weed, you can go to the chemist.' Advertisement Vas adds: 'Rory Breaker is going with the guidelines - but don't worry about that, as soon as we're allowed, the Rory Breaker strain of cannabis will be the most popular.' I looked at them and all the lines in my head went - I was a fanboy about to watch an episode. Vas Blackwood He explains how he was a 'ganja baby' in his teens, growing up around Highgate, but he took his acting career 'very seriously'. 'I vision boarded it, and you become what you are. I became what I am.' His big break, so to speak, came about with his Only Fools guest part when he was just 24. Advertisement He'd been to drama school and done fringe theatre, as well as a few TV spots - and he was a huge fan of the show. 'I looked at them and all the lines in my head went - I was a fanboy about to watch an episode,' he said, recalling first seeing stars David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst in costume on the set. Unusual for the BBC show, The Longest Night episode from season 5 saw a guest star take centre stage. 32 Vas is about to launch a medicinal cannabis brand Credit: VAS BLACKWOOD Advertisement 32 He is regularly stopped in the street by people shouting 'Lennox!' Credit: IMBD 32 Vas' tour starts at the Blind Beggar pub Credit: BRIT MOVIE TOURS Filmed in front of a live audience, it was set almost entirely on one room, with Vas - whose character took the leads hostage in a supermarket back office - in almost every shot. They'd done rehearsals for five days in a hall in Chiswick before doing the technical rehearsal at Television Centre, and then the next day the proper shoot. Advertisement Recalling his sudden hit of anxiety, Vas says: 'I had to kick myself from within my soul, my centre, my core, all the way up. 'You're Lennox, you're Lennox'. 'David, when he saw me, did the shoulder roll. He said 'alright there, Lennox', and I just went, I was laughing to myself. 'The concentration level had to be very high. You'd start laughing if you dropped out of character.' As an actor you have to hold your own. They might be difficult but that's nothing to do with you. You're not here to be their friend. Vas Blackwood As for his co-stars, Vas was full of praise, saying there was 'no ego', adding: 'They made me feel a million dollars. Advertisement 'They could've treated me a lot different. The industry can be like that sometimes. 'As an actor you have to hold your own. They might be difficult but that's nothing to do with you. You're not here to be their friend.' During earlier rehearsals he remembers during a break Jason turning to Lyndhurst and asking 'how's the flying going?'. Vas says: 'I was thinking flying, okay, what's that about? Well, Nicholas Lyndhurst actually flies an aeroplane, and he was learning to fly at that point. Advertisement 32 Twin brothers and organised crime bosses Ronnie and Reggie Kray in 1964 Credit: Getty 32 Vas is still close friends with director Guy Ritchie Credit: Andrew Sims - The Times 32 Only Fools and Horses stars David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and Buster Merryfield Credit: BBC 'It hit me, they're so not like Del and Rodney, these two.' Advertisement Vas still has copies of rehearsal scripts they used. 'It was a big moment for me as a young actor, I was very fortunate, but you've got to give yourself a pat on the back,' he says. 'It was like a theatre performance and we had an audience. Theatre is my thing, most actors worth their salt love a bit of theatre. You hold the moment, it was great.' Being called to Television Centre Despite being a huge fan of Only Fools, he admits it was touch and go whether he would even take the part after it was offered. He was on the verge of being cast as a regular in a new Channel 4 show when he was called into White City by show producer Ray Butt. Advertisement Many stars of the day had been impressed by Vas' performances in fringe theatre productions, and he'd already appeared with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders in ITV sitcom Girls on Top the year before. He believes he had also already been around the BBC at the time, though can't remember exactly how he came to the attention of Butt. 'It was all very peculiar how I got offered the job,' he recalls. The producer - looking every bit like Del Boy himself, wearing a flat cap and smoking a cigar - welcomed him into Television Centre and took him to a little office on the fifth floor. Advertisement Handing him the script, he said he'd be back in 45 minutes. 32 Vas also appeared in Mean Machine with Jones in 2001 Credit: UIP 32 Vas was called into BBC Television Centre by Only Fools producer Ray Butt to read the script Credit: Alamy 32 Vas was full of praise for Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst Credit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun Advertisement Vas says: 'From the first page I was laughing, especially when he pulls the gun and says 'open the safe!'' When Butt returned, he excitedly asked what he thought, to which Vas replied: 'It's brilliant, Ray.' When he revealed he had another offer, Butt confidently told him: 'Don't worry about that, you'll do this - it's much better.' Vas says his thinking was: 'Getting a TV series would be worth more to me than working one-off for the BBC.' Butt wasn't deterred and as he led him out, Vas said he was thinking 'who is this man?' Advertisement He dashed to a phone box and called his agent, who told him the Channel 4 producers were 'still making their mind up' - they wanted him but they were still deciding on the rest of the cast. 'A week or two later Ray was pressuring my agent,' Vas continues. 'In the end, I just decided to do Only Fools and Horses. It's little things like that - and I tell you what, I dunno whatever happened to that Channel 4 show, but this was the best thing that ever happened to me and I thank my lucky stars every day. Vas Blackwood 'It's little things like that - and I tell you what, I dunno whatever happened to that Channel 4 show, but this was the best thing that ever happened to me and I thank my lucky stars every day.' The show, despite coming to a finish after more than two decades in 2003, continues to top all-time favourite British TV charts, and is repeated almost daily on the likes of UK Gold. Advertisement 'I go places everyday and people say 'ah Lennon, Lennox! Say the line!' Do you know how many times I've said it?' Without any prompt, Vas says: 'They seek him here, they seek him there, those policemen seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven or is he in hell, that damn elusive sha-a-dow.' 32 Vas worked with Lenny Henry in the 1980s after he spotted him in fringe theatre Credit: Rex 32 Vas worked with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders early in his career Credit: Rex Advertisement 32 Vas was not surprised that Jason Statham became a huge star in Hollywood Credit: Getty He adds: 'I get people in stitches every time - I look at it as a bit of a blessing, the stars looking down on me and saying you're still in this to win it, or whatever the case maybe.' The Only Fools performance was followed by the regular role of Winston in The Lenny Henry Show, as well as an episode of French & Saunders, and then three seasons of teen comedy Spatz. Through the 90s Vas also appeared in the likes of The Bill and Casualty before landing possibly his biggest role as gangster Rory Breaker. Advertisement The black comedy crime caper, made for less than a £1million, was met with critical acclaim and major commercial success. 'To have worked with Guy on his first film, it set me in stone there and then. It's an iconic role, it's all there,' says Vas. To have worked with Guy on his first film, it set me in stone there and then. It's an iconic role, it's all there. Vas Blackwood 'Watching that film just reminds me of London,' he continues, laughing. 'If you know the streets how I know them, there's all these characters, they might be shady but they have a sense of humour. 'It's all a mix-up and that's London to me.' Advertisement Vas based Breaker on two people he knew growing up, one was Gilbert Wynter, a jeweller and enforcer for the Adams crime family who disappeared without a trace the same year Lock, Stock was released. 'I went to school with Gilbert, he was a soft touch, really, but a character,' says Vas. The other inspiration was Trevor Smith, a bank robber who rubbed shoulders with 'loveable rogues' in high end Chelsea. 32 Ronnie and Reggie Kray, seen here at home after helping police with their inquiries into a shooting in 1966 Credit: Getty Advertisement 32 The Blind Beggar pub on Whitechapel Road in Mile End, East London, where the Krays used to regularly drink Credit: Getty 32 Vas hopes to work again with Ritchie - seen here shooting The Gentlemen season 2 Credit: Click News and Media The casting had been a bit of a mishmash. The film had been due to be shot the year before but then the investment fell through. Vas says: 'I wasn't attached at first. When the money came through again a lot of the actors cast had moved on to different jobs so there was availability. Advertisement 'I can't say they got second best because it's such a successful film,' he says, laughing. 'It's all about timing. It wasn't the right thing with the first cast.' Lock, Stock casting process He remembers Ritchie telling him how much he loved his performance as Winston in the Lenny Henry Show, and how he'd watch it when he got home from college. 'He had me in mind from that role,' explains Vas. At one stage during the audition, Ritchie asked him to run his lines and began filming him from different angles. Advertisement 'He knew he wanted me to do it, but he was more interested in the camera than what I was saying,' says Vas. 'He was fitting faces in his mind.' He recalled as they headed into another office, Ritchie began asking him about taxes. 'It was due to him being a young director and not understanding everything, so I gave him advice and he was happy and we were on,' Vas says. Advertisement 32 Vas in 2004 film Creep Credit: check copyright 32 Vas and Jones at the premier of Mean Machine, at the Odeon in Glasgow, with then Celtic players Steve Guppy and John Hartson Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 32 Vas promoting the Change For Kids campaign Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 'I just knew he was special, there was something about him.' Advertisement He says the energy on set was electric, but everyone 'would come in ready to give 110%' each day. 'We all got our heads down and delivered for Guy.' Vas goes on to say: 'The shooting schedule was broken up unusually - it was how Guy wanted to work.' He remembers Ritchie sitting by a monitor rather than behind the camera on set for his scenes. 'He never once came and talked to me about my performance. I'd say 'Guy, how was that?' and he'd reply 'that's great, no problem'. Advertisement 'It was all in the edit for him and I was doing exactly what was on the paper.' However, there was always room for ideas. Having grown up around Cypriots in Kentish Town, Vas had suggested he speak some Greek in the film - which Ritchie allowed, and even came up with the idea for Breaker's iconic wig. 'I met my character's minders and they had bald heads and I was bald, so I said 'maybe it would have more impact if I was wearing a wig',' says Vas. 'Guy said 'leave it with me'. I turned up on set to get my make up and costume sorted and they had a wig,' he says. Advertisement Vas was due to appear in Ritchie's follow-up movie Snatch two years later but other commitments meant he was forced to drop out. 32 It was Vas' idea for Rory Breaker to wear a wig Credit: Polygram 32 Vas with Gary Lineker in comedy show Spatz in 1991 Credit: Thames Television 32 Vas based Breaker on two underworld figures he knew growing up Credit: Polygram Advertisement While further Ritchie projects, which he didn't reveal, 'didn't fit quite right'. But the pair remain close. 'Guy's like a brother to me, we talk as often as possible,' says Vas. 'I'm sure we'll do something else - it's all about the style of the role. 'If it fits, it fits. They don't need to audition me, if they know there's something I could master. We don't beg for anything, it's how our relationship is. We're always batting and balling with things like that.' Advertisement Working with Jason Statham In 2001, Vas would go on to appear in Mean Machine, reuniting with Lock, Stock castmates Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham, the latter of which was already making waves in the US. 'Jason was working his way up,' he says. 'He came over from America to do the role - he was very close with Vinnie. He was on that trajectory. 'Jason Statham has an appetite for learning. That's why he is where he is now, he takes everything on as mute, he doesn't take things for granted.' Vas says it was actually Jones who ensured Lock, Stock even got made. Advertisement 'Not a lot of people know this but Vinnie was the seed investor for Lock, Stock,' he explains. 'He put 100 grand up. When he left football he was very serious about the acting and he was looking for stuff.' 32 The actor has continued to act regularly since the 1980s Credit: Rex Features 32 Vas appeared with James Buckley in The Comedian's Guide to Survival Credit: Rex Advertisement 32 Vas provided voices for the video game Fable II Credit: Handout Ritchie and producer Matthew Vaughn were 'running around' with the script trying to find funding and it came by Jones, and he loved it, says Vas. 'He put the first 100k down, then more investors followed. The rest is history.' Vas had first met Jones through footballer pal Jon Fashnu, with Fashnu and Jones being part of Crystal Palace's infamous 'Crazy Gang'. Advertisement 'With Vinnie Jones, you can be walking in a forest with him, or down a street - he'll say 'what tree's that?'' says Vas. 'If it's got apples you'll say 'an apple tree'. But he'll know exactly what tree it is and what birds live in it. 'He likes the outdoors and bit of the hunting. And with trees, if it's an apple tree he'll tell you what type of apple it is. 'A lot of people are talking about saving the planet, but they can't do that.' Advertisement Vas would go on to star in the likes of horror film Creep (2004) and provide voice work for video game Fable II (2008) and TV series Thunderbirds Are Go, among other live action roles, including two White Collar Hooligan films and Inbetweener James Buckley-starring The Comedian's Guide to Survival (2016). He got involved in Brit Movie Tours in around 2018. His Lock, Stock co-star Stephen Marcus, who played Nick the Greek, had initially run it before relocating to LA. After a little hesitancy, Vas agreed to take it on for select dates when he's back in London. 32 Vas took over the Kray twins tour in 2018 Credit: BRIT MOVIE TOURS Advertisement 32 The tour takes in various spots in the East End Credit: Vas Blackwood 'I get 50 plus people,' he says. 'I get loads of people, they love it. I do it like a theatre performance, you get value for your money.' Many customers want him to recite lines from his famous performances and he's happy to oblige. 'They say, 'can you say that line?' I say 'why not?' and pretend like they're the first-ever person to ask. If the lines were terrible they wouldn't say anything, so I don't mind.' Advertisement He adds: 'You get dads and mums coming with their kids who are die hard Only Fools and Horses fans, and I'm thinking 'that's another market there'.' He's always fascinated by how much interest there is in infamous bad guys like the Krays. His daughter went on a Pablo Escobar tour in Columbia which is run by the drug king pin's son and which ends at his grave. 'You can have a line of coke on his grave,' he says. 'Not that she did.' Advertisement Describing his own interest in the Krays, he explains: 'Whatever they got involved in, there's a lot of folklore, with a lot of bad there comes a lot of good. 'We shouldn't judge too hard. If you commit a crime and go to prison, who am I to judge you? 'You've been locked up for a period of your life and that's your punishment.' Referring to the Krays, he says: 'I've fallen in love with the in-between bits. Advertisement 'We're all just getting on with our lives in our own way.' Do you have a story? Email
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Soap icon Eileen Fulton dies at age of 91 as family confirm sad death
Actress Eileen Fulton has sadly died at the age of 91. The iconic star was best known for her work as the first bad girl of daytime television for her role as Lisa Miller in As the World Turns. Eileen sadly passed away on 14 July in Asheville, North Carolina, at the age of 91 following a period of declining health, her family confirmed on the Groce Funeral Home website, sharing that her funeral service will be held on August 9. Eileen first appeared in As the World Turns in May 1960, remaining in the cast until the CBS show went off air in September 2010. Her 50-year stint on the series made her one of the longest-starring soap actors in US TV history, despite the role initially being created as a short-term character. Eileen - whose real name was Margaret Elizabeth McLarty - was inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998 and received a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Eileen was raised in Asheville and moved to New York to pursue an acting career after graduating from Greensboro College with a music degree in 1956. While in NYC she studied with famed acting coaches Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg at the Neighborhood Playhouse, as well as dance teacher Martha Graham, and her feature debut came in 1960 in Girl of the Night. Eileen was also a writer and singer and performed a cabaret act for years in venues in both New York and Los Angeles. At one point during her time on As the World Turns - which was then broadcast live - she was also appearing on Broadway in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf and in off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks. She co-wrote her first autobiography, How My World Turns, in 1970 and jointly wrote her second, As My World Still Turns, 25 years later. Eileen also wrote a series of murder-mystery books and a novel titled Soap Opera. She retired in 2019 and moved back to North Carolina. Eileen is survived by her brother, Charles Furman McLarty, niece Katherine Morris and their children, and her sister-in-law Chris Page McLarty. Instead of flowers, Eileen's family has asked for donations to be made to the Reverend James B. McLarty Music Scholarship, or the Margaret Glenn McLarty '28 and Eileen Fulton Music Scholarship Fund.
