Actor David Beardmore is tipped to be the next big talent to come out of Stoke on Trent; following hot on the heels of fellow Stokies Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes.

Clare Bowman interviewed David Beardmore...

Interview

David, when did you start your acting and modelling career?
It was about three years ago when I was still at Manchester University. I was doing a Degree in Business Management at the time.

So, why did you choose a career in acting and modelling?
Acting is something I've always wanted to do.
My Dad used to be an entertainer and singer, so I think it's always been in me to perform. The modelling came about just because a few people said I should try it, so I did.

What was your first modelling job?
That was funny [laughs], it was for a boiler company and the photo shoot was at Nottingham Forest football ground in the player's bar and I had to hug this boiler and smile.

What sort of modelling have you done since?
I've modelled boxer shorts for a few different companies and I modelled socks once, they had to tan my legs for that [laughs].
I've also done fittings for Paul Smith's suits and I've modelled Versace shades for a printing company - that was pretty good.

Recently, I had some photos taken with a round lens; that was a bit weird because I had to pull a serious face with one eyebrow raised [demonstrates - very scary], but the lens made my face look a strange shape, so they look a bit bizarre really.

What was your first acting job?
My first acting job was in the television series A&E.
I played an injury victim in a massive car crash on the M62. I had really bad head injuries and I was in a wheelchair. It took two weeks to film, so it was quite a big role for my first time.

Have you worked with many famous actors?
Yes, I've worked with Amanda Holden in Cutting It; Mel B in Burn It; Christopher Timothy in Doctors; Hugo Spiers and Sarah Lancashire in Sons and Lovers; Jane Asher and Lionel Blair in Crossroads and quite a few others.

Who did you enjoy working with most?
I have to say, Christopher Timothy, he is a really down to earth bloke and you can have a good laugh with him.

What other programmes have you been in?
I was a soldier in the Forsyth Saga, a Policeman in Byker Grove, I've also been in Sweet Medicine, Second Coming; I've done quite a lot of TV Extra work.

Have you had any funny incidents while on set?
Yeah, I'm dead clumsy I'm always falling over [laughs]. I was playing a Policeman in Byker Grove once and I had to chase a criminal on Blackpool pier. My shoes didn't have any grips and the wooden floor was very slippery. Anyway, while I was running I slipped and went flying, I landed flat on my back, much to everyone's amusement.
Actually, it could have been quite nasty, but luckily I escaped with a red face and a very bruised bottom [laughs].

I remember another time when I was in Doctors, I was a barman and I had a tray of drinks.
I was supposed to put the drinks down on a table, but ended up spilling one of the drinks all over the table and the actress who was sat there, the look on her face was a picture [laughs].

Have you got anything in the pipeline at the moment?
Yeah, I've just finished filming a football programme for the BBC called Sven for the Day, as in Sven Goran Eriksson, the England manager. It's about a couple of people who think they can do the England manager's job, a man and a woman. The man has a lot of experience of football and has played at different levels, whereas the woman doesn't know much about football, but she is very attractive, [laughs]. It's set just before a big international football game against Turkey.

I play a character called Phil Banks in the England set up.
My character is supposed to be a rebellious Paul Gascoigne type player, cockey and arrogant, basically he thinks he's brilliant. He goes out getting drunk a lot and the manager has to make the decision whether to play him in the England team or not.

When will it be shown?
It's going to be shown on BBC3 on December the 15th 2003, and hopefully if it gets enough viewers it will then be shown on BBC1.

Have you ever been recognised?
Yes, I sometimes get people coming up to me in clubs or when I'm out shopping and they say things like: "have you been in Doctors?"

How does it feel to be recognised?
It's very flattering; it's great to think that someone has noticed you on TV [big smile]. I tend to be mistaken for David Beckham more often.

Does that happen a lot then?
Yes, all the time.
In September when I was in Ireland, I was walking down a road with my mates and we just happened to walk past a wedding party. Suddenly all these girls started shouting 'look, it's Beckham' and started following us. It was a bit embarrassing really, because our only escape was to get into my old Ford Fiesta - not very stylish [laughs].

Even more bizarre was when I was in New York. Again I was walking with my mates, this time down Broadway when this American woman came rushing up to me and said: "David, David, we met in Atlanta, do you remember me, you are such a nice guy?"
I took my shades off thinking she would realise that I wasn't Beckham, but no she didn't. She was so excited I decided not to shatter her illusions and just thanked her. My mates always find it highly amusing [laughs].

Most days I get the odd comment, like: "Alright, Golden Balls?" I'm pretty used to it now.

When you're not acting or modelling, do you do other jobs?
Yeah, I've done all sorts of jobs, from working in an exclusive health and beauty spa to credit card sales.
I've spent by far the longest time working at Alton Towers though, mainly because it's right on my doorstep so it's very handy.

When you get any spare time, what do you like doing?
We have two horses at home, so I exercise them regularly. I also play tennis, golf, I sometimes go fishing and I love playing football.

One of the most interesting things I do which not many people know about is Ceroc dancing, it's fantastic, it's like Salsa and Jive dancing rolled into one.

Which football team do you support?
I've been an avid Stoke City supporter all my life. I wanted to play football for them when I was younger and I did play for Stoke schoolboys in a couple of friendly matches, but it never took off.

Do you have a girlfriend?
No, I haven't got a girlfriend at the moment, I was seeing someone, but she moved away, so we had to call it a day, but not to worry, there's plenty more fish in the sea, so to speak [big smile].

What star sign are you?
I'm a Leo.

What's your favourite film?
That's a hard one because there are so many good films, but I would say one of my all time favourite films is Coming to America with Eddy Murphy. I tend to like films that are comedy based.

Three words to describe yourself?
Hmm, I would say I am funny, spontaneous and interesting.

So lastly then David, where can you see yourself in 10 years time?
Acting is a difficult industry to break into, but hopefully in ten years time I will have a career on screen, whether in films or TV. Either would be brilliant.

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Clare Bowman