Scottish actor Denis Lawson has appeared in numerous films and TV shows over the years, including Holby City, Hornblower and the original Star Wars trilogy He recently reprised his role as retired detective Steve McAndrew in the BBC One crime drama New Tricks. Here he talks about all things motoring.
What was your first car?
The first car I drove was a Triumph Herald. I passed my test in it when I was 17. It was my dad’s car and that’s what I learned in and passed in. It was a great car too. It had a remarkably tight turning circle and I remember that was a big selling point.
Did you pass your test first time?
I did. I was very lucky because both my father and mother learnt to drive later on, in their late 30s or early 40s, and my sister had also just learnt, so I had three different people to teach me.
Can you remember the first car that you bought yourself?
The first car that I owned was a Honda, a little box of a car. I think it had a two-stroke engine which was a bit souped-up, so it was quite noisy and small, but it went quite fast. I drove it a lot in London, and racked up a huge amount of parking tickets. And I used to drive it up and down to Scotland – I don’t know how I managed that. It wasn’t exactly comfortable.
Would you consider yourself a good driver?
A fantastic driver, incredible! Well, I think I’m fine. I’ve driven all my life and I’ve driven a lot of different things. I’ve driven a lot on the continent and in America. I drove a tractor and a trailer at one time in my hometown as a summer job. And I drove an ice cream truck when I was 18. I do remember taking a corner too fast once and everything came out – I mean all the sweets, everything. The thing was a mess by the time I got it back. The proprietor was not pleased.
Do you do much driving in New Tricks?
Not a huge amount, but I drive a little bit. Driving and acting is quite a tricky thing to pull off; technically it’s quite difficult. You may have a camera clamped to the side of your car or you’re on a low-loader – you’re on a trailer and it’s being towed by the camera trucks, so the camera’s in front of you and you’re not driving.
What annoys you most when you’re driving?
It’s not so much a bugbear, but I really don’t like motorways very much. If I’m on a motorway for two hours I get really bored. It’s more the boredom factor than anything. Obviously, particularly on motorways there are people tailgating you and just being silly.
Do you listen to the radio or music?
I usually have the radio on if I’m driving. There’s an album I like a lot when I’m driving called Impressions of Curtis Mayfield by the Jazz Soul Seven. It’s a very kind of up and at ’em, funky kind of album. I like a bit of jazz funk.
Would you have a dream car?
I love my car that I’ve got now, which is a racing green Mini convertible. I love that, it’s great fun. It’s great for parking, it’s quite neat and it’s got great acceleration. It’s probably about nine years old now.
How often do you clean it?
I probably don’t clean it as often as I should. I’m looking at it now and it needs to be cleaned!
ENDS
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