Ian Aspinall |
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MINI-BIOG |
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In terms of challenging your acting skills, what's been the most difficult storyline you've done in Holby City?
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| "I think I've been very lucky with Mubbs and his storylines. He's dated mothers and daughters at the same time, got involved in the wrong way with patients, is constantly sparing with Owen, and his relationship with the rest of the staff twists features lots of twist and turns. I'm sure he holds the record for the dating Holby girls. One of the best compliments I have received was from one of the writers who told me everyone loves writing for Mubbs. Very encouraging! Challenges come from 14-page operations which the director wants to shoot in one take; scenes like that can be a bit tricky. And of course you have to pronounce the medical terminology correctly." |
| You once said Christopher Walken was your favourite actor. What is it that you admire about him? |
| "I like Christopher Walken - I think I first saw him in The Deer Hunter. He's interesting looking, has good delivery and pops up in lots of different movies. He did a great job in To Catch A Thief and, hey, he's got some crazy wild hair." |
Your Holby City character is quite the ladies man. Do you consider yourself a charmer, or are you more the shy type?
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| "I wish I had the confidence, arrogance and attitude of Mubbs - it would have saved me a lot of pain! I'm not going to say I'm shy, as that provokes the 'How can you be shy? You're an actor' comment. Let's just say all my relationships seem to have started with the girl breaking the ice." |
Earlier this year you joined in the effort to help victims of the tsunami tragedy. Do you think people in the public eye have a responsibility to use their position to help in that sort of situation?
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| "Ultimately I think it's up to the leaders, governments and heads of state to provide help in an emergency. But it's only human to try and do your bit, whether it's a major disaster or someone falling over in the street. I'm sure we all want to help. Of course, it's easier if you're in the public eye because as a celeb - not that I'm saying I'm a celebrity - you can help just by turning up." |
Before joining Holby City you also made your mark in the movie East Is East. Are you going to do more films now you're leaving the show? And if not, what are your plans for the future?
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| "I grew up fascinated by classic northern films like Spring And Port Wine, In The Family Way and Kes. East Is East was part of this genre and being involved in it was something special. I suppose I fulfilled an ambition by doing a classic northern movie. Filming East Is East was a good time for me as I was shooting the police series City Central at the same time, which was also a joy to be on. Of course I'd love to do more movies. We'll just have to see what fate has in store." |
What are your favourite films and why?
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"I like all kinds of movies, from old Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grants, to some of the recent animation/computerised films like Sin City. Reservoir Dogs was excellent when it first came out as it was so different. Pulp Fiction is still one of my faves. American Beauty was excellent and Lost In Translation just blew me away, although not a lot happens. It's a poignant love story and very funny. Bill Murray deserved the Oscar for that one."
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What do you like to do when you're not busy working?
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| "Well I haven't been 'not busy' for the last seven years, so I've been doing a lot of travelling and catching up with friends and family. I've not long returned from four weeks in Los Angeles visiting a mate who recently moved out there. I've also been to Amsterdam, had a weekend in Jersey, and drove down to Devon and Cornwall." |
Is it true you originally wanted to be rock star? And if so, do you still think about making music?
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| "Didn't everyone want to be a rock star or a footballer? Best job in the world! I suppose growing up in a big house with lots of music coming from different bedrooms and my sisters walls all covered with posters of pop stars may have contributed to that one. From the age of about three I was using the vacuum cleaner as a microphone and singing Elvis. I was always in bands, but my journey took a different path. These days you can occasionally catch me knocking out a few Beatles or Oasis covers in the Man And Scythe pub on a Saturday evening, if I happen to be back home in Bolton, but that's about as far as it goes." |
What are your three most treasured possessions?
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| "Number one are definitely my photo albums and scrap books of family and friends, filled with events and people I have loved and lost, covering my life up to now.
Second comes an old acoustic guitar I've had for about 20 years. It's got history man. Roger Daltrey and Gary Glitter have both played a few tunes on it. And number three has to be an old cabinet which is the only thing I have from my family home. It has this Sixties-design glass front and we used to keep the best glasses in it; it always rattled when anyone walked by on their way into the front room. Maybe when I'm settled and find a home, I'll fill it with glasses and play it again like you do an old song." |
