Best of the Web Boris’ Number 10 Parties

JOHN ALTMAN

HOW IS THE NEW ALBUM BEING RECEIVED? Very well actually – a couple of really good reviews. People are enjoying the eclectic mix of songs on the album and are pleasantly surprised - which is pleasing!

HOW MUCH INVOLVEMENT DID YOU HAVE IN CREATING THE ALBUM MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY? I wrote all the lyrics, some of the music and did the percussion on a few tracks like ‘Hallucinating You’ and ‘Eyes to Blue’.

ARE THERE ARE PLANS TO TOUR AND GIG AGAIN SOON? Yeah definitely, I did a few gigs this summer but now we’re putting a new band together and we’re going to start touring locally around Spring 2022. Charlie Chandler who has a guitar shop in Hampton Wick is in the band. He’s a fine musician and a great character.

WHAT’S YOUR FUNNIEST TOURING/ GIGGING STORY? I was in a punk group and we performed at a private gig in Charlbury – ‘Castaway’ actress Amanda Donahue was our lead vocalist. Unfortunately my bass player found the wine cellar and got out of his brains that night! We played so loudly the cows in the neighbouring field stampeded and the police had to shut us down!

DO YOU STILL GET SPOTTED IN THE STREET HAVING PLAYED ‘NASTY NICK’ FOR 20 YEARS – ARGUABLY THE LONGEST RUNNING VILLAIN IN A TV SOAP? Yes still - even though I’ve not been in the soap for 5 years! I don’t mind and just get on with it! WHAT WAS IT LIKE STARRING ALONGSIDE EASTENDERS GREATS LIKE DAME BARBARA WINDSOR, (YOUR ON-SCREEN ‘MA) JUNE BROWN AND MARTIN KEMP? Dame Barbara Windsor was a lovely soul – we became great friends and I got on really well with Scott her husband. I gave her a lovely hug last time I saw her. As we’re both Surrey residents June Brown and I got on from day one and I still speak to her as often as possible. Actually thanks for reminding me, I’m going to call her today! Martin’s a lovely man and Spandau Ballet are a class act.

WHO WAS THE MOST FUN OF THE EASTENDERS CAST TO WORK WITH AND WHY? June was great fun – we had some heavy scenes but we always had a laugh. One time when we came to the end of a scene in the launderette we just carried on adlibbing! We improvised for an extra 3 minutes and the crew were looking baffled as the script had ended – eventually they called “cut!”. Gary Whelan was a good laugh too and we used to do a lot of onset pranks. One time he missed an Italian meal I cooked for him so I posted it to him in a jiffy bag.

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE THREE THINGS TO A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Margot Robbie for company, The Beatles White album to listen to and The Complete Works of Charles Dickens to read.

WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST THING A FAN HAS SAID TO YOU? Someone kept calling me Nick in the Post Office queue. When I said my name was John she said, “I know that Nick!” That made me laugh. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN THE MOVIE VERSION OF YOUR LIFE? Someone very handsome, slim, dark hair and brown eyes (who loves music and movies!) Casting now… please get in touch!

DO YOU FIND IT HARD (BEING A NICE GUY!) THAT PEOPLE STILL ASSOCIATE YOU WITH NASTY NICK COTTON? It’s an advantage actually because if I played a nice character (that hadn’t murdered 4 people in EastEnders) more people might be coming up to me right now!

IF YOU COULD PERPETUATE A MYTH ABOUT YOUSELF WHAT WOULD IT BE? I was offered a knighthood but turned it down! John Altman is best known for playing Dot Cotton’s son ‘Nasty Nick’ in EastEnders from the soap’s debut in 1985 till his onscreen death in 2015. Despite being most well-known for acting (also starring in 1979 hit ‘Quadrophenia’) Surrey resident John has always had a passion for music appearing in various musicals being the frontman for The Heavy Metal Kids. He has just released a 12-track self-penned album called “Never Too Late to Rock and Roll” and is in the process of setting up a new band.

WHO ARE YOUR 4 IDEAL DINNER PARTY GUESTS? Stephen Fry, Paul McCartney, David Attenborough and Euro News reporter Anelise Borges.

BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN? Actor Ron Moody said, “If you love acting – just go for it.” I worked my way up from backstage to treading the boards after this single piece of simplistic advice.

MOST EMBARRASSING ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE? Cherry red platform boots – I’ve given them away to a charity shop now though.

WHAT ALL THE LADIES WANT TO KNOW, ARE YOU SINGLE? At present yes!

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A WOMAN? Blonde hair, blue eyes, adventurous, tidiness, femininity and a sense of humour please!

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE GROWING UP? A film director. I’ve directed short films but directing a feature length film is still something I’d want to do in the future.

WORST HABIT? Impatience can’t queue!

IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? One that’s hunted or humiliated probably! But I love water so I’m going to choose a dolphin.

FRIDAY NIGHT OUT OR SUNDAY DAY IN? Sunday chill in day for sure.

WHAT´S THE BEST THING ABOUT SURREY? So many good restaurants, rivers, parks and stunning views. I recently discovered Leith Hill and love it there.

WORST THING? The Box junction on the one-way system in Kingston!! Apparently the council made over a million in fines last year.