A Quick Chat With: Nigel Havers

'People think I’m just a charming, smooth talking bastard'

Nigel Havers (GETTY IMAGES)

Actor Nigel Havers is best known for playing Lord Andrew Lindsay in 1980 film Chariots of Fire. He has played a range of quintessentially English roles on film and television, appearing in Upstairs, Downstairs, Nicholas Nickleby, A Passage to India and Empire of the Sun. He is currently playing a male escort in ITV soap Coronation Street.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be... watching Wimbledon tennis on television.

A phrase I use far too often... incidentally.

I wish people would take more notice of... being polite to each other.

A common misperception of me is... that I’m just a charming, smooth talking bastard.

The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was... getting my first big break when I was cast as Nicholas in Nicholas Nicklebly for the BBC in1977.

The most surprising thing about me is... that I collect stuffed fish.

I'm not a politician but... I’m very interested in politics.

I'm good at... tidying up.

But I'm very bad at... not tidying up.

The ideal night out is... with my wife.

In moments of weakness I... shout at bicyclists.

My view about Facebook and Twitter is... I have no views about it at all. I’ve never done anything with it. I refuse.

The best age to be is… the age you are.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is… never wish your life away. If you’re not enjoying something, don’t just wish for it to end.

Six months on from the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Nigel Havers is supporting ActionAid’s appeal for child sponsors in the country. For further information visit www.actionaid.org.uk or call 01460 238080.