The reason I like actors.

Probably goes back to recording my first ever radio commercial. The script wasn’t brilliant but the actor who delivered it was. I could hardly contain my excitement when John Hurt walked into the studio. He was the actor’s actor – big hat, flowing scarf, colourful personal life and that wonderful, gravelly RADA trained voice. Actors are like human beings, only more so. Their interest in the world around them, heightened sensitivities and talent for performance make them great company. Yes, they have their faults – which usually begin with the prefix “self-” but most understand that what they do isn’t that important. John Hurt, in the theatre at the time, described his occupation as ‘shouting in the evenings’. He died yesterday and the tributes have been pouring in. If you’ve never seen Midnight Express, watch it now. Particularly the little-known actor whose drug-addled performance as Max won him his first Oscar nomination.