How did you get your role as Phil Wallis in Dream Team? Hewland were looking for a middle-aged, over weight guy to play the character of Phil, but Rod (the producer at the time) had seen me and was pushing for me in the role. It took some convincing before Jane Hewland would accept me. I had to audition six times (more than I have for any other job), with Phil as a cockney, brummie, Scottish, manchunian, even Welsh. I think in the end we pestered her into submission.
What was the best thing about being in Dream Team? Career-wise I learnt so much. Just being in front of camera five days a week 10 hours a day was invaluable experience, both in technical understanding and confidence. I got a chance to play around and discover what works and what doesn't, what I can do and what I'm not so good at. I know that some of the choices I made were the wrong ones (playing Phil for comedy in the first 3 eps), but by making those mistakes I now know not to repeat them.
What were your likes and dislikes about the character? He was the fool with a heart. Phil would never intentionally hurt someone, there wasn't a malicious bone in his body. But the way Jacqui and Doyle treated him hardened him and, unwilling to admit defeat, he fought to make his dreams a reality. Like or dislike him, you couldn't help but respect him.
What did your friends and family think of your role as Phil? My cousins were big DT fans, so they loved the fact that I was in it. My brother used to go down his local on Sundays and have DT on the big screen. I think they were proud.
Where you happy with the way Phil was portrayed? In the first few episodes the writers, producers and directors didn't really know what they wanted from Phil. I had a lot of conflicting opinions; told to play him stupid, star struck around his idols, clumsy, selfish, heart warming. The only thing I would change about his portrayal would be the initial 6 episodes as it took that long for everyone to get a handle on who Phil really was.
Could you see Phil lasting longer than he did in the show? I was in close talks with Jane Hewland and the writing team towards the end of series six. We were trying to intent new story lines for Phil considering the dramatic arc he had had in the last season. In the end I said that if we are struggling this hard to find a good story for him that could follow the last tumultuous one, perhaps he should just leave. Once I suggested that it made perfect sense. He could leave having saved the club, his dignity (though not his marriage) intact.
What have you been up to since leaving the show? I've had an amazing 2 years since finishing. I was in a new musical version of 'Queer as Folk', followed by an episode of Redcap, but then landed a role in Oliver Stone's 'Alexander'. The odd thing was that I had auditioned on video tape weeks before, it so often being the case that you audition and then never hear about it again. I finished the last performance of the musical and was drinking with friends when I got in a bar fight, the result being three stitches above my right eye and a swollen face. The following day I get a call from my agent saying that Oliver Stone wanted to meet with me. I had to turn up complete with stitches and black eye to audition for the biggest role of my life. He offered it to me there on the spot. To this day I think it's the black eye that got it for me. Since then I've done a couple of films, both released this year, and a new Channel Four comedy called Sugar Rush, where I'm naked for one in three scenes – interesting to shoot!!!
Have you continued to keep up to date with the show since you left? I haven't watched the show, seeing as I have been away filming and also don't have Sky, but I'm good friends with a couple of the guys. Namely Danny Husbands and Phil Brodie. They keep me clued up as to what's going on.
If you could come back to the show be it long or short term would you return? I'd love to. Phil gets called in to fix the showers. Would be fun to do a one-off cameo. Hewland, if you read this…..
Do you get recognised in the street as a result of being in Dream Team? I did when the show was on, and occasionally do still, but DT is such a seasonal thing that you remain in viewers thoughts only so long as you're on their screens, so not so much any more…
What scenes did you enjoy and dislike the most? Gotta be happy with Nikki and Jacqui stripping for me. You guy only saw the rear view, but from where I was sitting….
What team do you support and why? Sorry, but not a footie fan at all. My family are all Arsenal supporters, so I guess I loosely support them. Maybe the fact that I was born in Luton killed any love for the game. Astro-turf can do that to a young boy!!!
Have you met any real players? In the 'Swingers, he's so Money' sense? Yeah, a few. Like to think I keep up though…
What research did you carry out for the role? A beanie worn in-between takes is the best way to slick back hair!
Can you play football, if so what position and how would you rate yourself? Me and football don't mix, so I'd be left-back… in the changing room (boom boom!)
How has working on Dream Team compared to your previous acting roles? It was far more intense. My previous roles had all been one-off episodes in pre-established dramas. This was the first time that I could develop a character and see him grow in a series… and grow with him.
Who is the best actor you have ever worked with? I've been fortunate to work with a lost of great actors, but the ones that I learnt the most from were probably Val Kilmer and Colin Farrell, as these were the first A-listers that I got to be along side. It was incredible to see their energy and dedication to not only their parts, but the film as a whole. They were also very generous with their time and advice. I learnt a lot both about the job and the industry from just hanging with them.
Do you have any funny stories about filming? There was a scene where I was called from Jacqui's bedside to investigate some cocaine found in the changing rooms. The scene was with Doyle and Stuart Naysmith. We had a chat before doing it that we were going to re-write it without telling the director. The scene basically was I walk in, angry for being called, and the other two confront me with the news in the tunnel. The entire thing was to be played on one camera angle in one take. So, I walk in, Stuart shows me the drugs and explains where they're found. I then took them from him and sampled them. Then Doyle took a pinch. Then Stuart sniffed up a load. The whole scene changed to our drug appreciation and discussing where we could get some. In the end the director came out, tears in his eyes from laughing. Would love to see that on some bloopers reel.
Tell us what was it really like doing your naked scene in the stadium? Exhilarating or just plain embarrassing? Quite liberating, actually. I doubt many people have stood naked on the Millwall pitch. The funny thing is that there is footage shot of me from the front that they then cut around so that you don't see my old boy. It was mid-January, I was nervous, and somewhere there is footage of my willy!
Jacqui or Nikki? Jacqui on Nikki!
What is your favourite film/book/TV show? It's a Wonderful Life/ Fight Club/ Contender
Who would play you in a film about your life? The love child of Paul Battany and Daniel Craig
What do you like in a woman? Ooh, that's like saying 'if you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?' I love my food…
Do you have any nicknames that are clean enough to share? My favourite it shared between Me and Danny Husband. We played three charity games for DT, and each time were placed together as room mates. He's the 'Room', as am I to him. I was called 'Paxo' as a kid though because I was very skinny…
Where do you call home? Right now, my flat in London. But as of April I'll be living in LA, so guess that one's still up in the air.
Were you a fan of Dream Team prior to joining the show? I must admit, No. Sky were luxury downt my way.
Do you have any behind the scenes gossip that you would like to share? It's not a real team. They do all that stuff on computers.
If you could have played any other character who would it have been and why? Currently, would love to try at Jaws, Phil Brodie's character.
What is your all time most embarrassing moment? I used to box, and years back had a fight that was shown live on Channel four. I told all my mates to watch, my family came down to Cardiff for it, I even joked with Joe Calzaghe, who was ringside, to watch out as I'll be after his title next. I got knocked out in the first round!
If you hadn't got into acting, what do you think you would be doing now? I started my own personal training business, but gave that up to act. So I guess I'd be personal training.
Who would be your ideal co-stars? Paul Newman, Charles Laughton and Robert Mitchum as the Musketeers to my Dartanien. Pacino as my man servant, and Rachel Weitz as my love interest. I'd watch it any way!
What other jobs have you done in the past besides acting? I've only ever had one office job, in an insurance company. I got sacked after two weeks for allegedly embezzling twenty grand.
Describe your perfect day from waking up in the morning until falling asleep at night. Wake up to the smell of bacon cooking. I nudge Cameron Diaz beside me, who then wakes Charlize Theron. Rachel Weitz calls us to breakfast. We then all re-enact the bathing scene from Coming to America…
What do you most like doing in your spare time- in chill out mode? Watching movies. I'm a real film geek.
If you could give 1 million pounds to a charity, which charity would you support and why? I believe charity begins at home, so I'd buy one.
If you could star in any reality show which would it be and why? Make me a super model. Just to be in that house.
What is your Star Sign? Pisces.
What type of Mobile Phone do you have? Nokia.
Where do you see yourself in ten years time? Tough one. If someone would have said I'd have the success I've had when I started acting 4 years ago, I would have scoffed. But my goals have changed and I want bigger, better, more. Hopefully in film doing work that I can be really proud of. The type that stands the test of time.
What was the first and last album you bought? The A-Team album. Jack Johnson, Brushfire Fairytales
If you could emulate any actors career, who's would it be? The roles of Steve McQueen, with the career of Paul Newman
Would you prefer fame or fortune? Fortune. Financial independence would open up a new creative world to me.
Have you ever looked at any of the Harchester websites? The website is a regular choice of all the DT cast. It's nice to hear and see the response the show has and the impact it makes. Long may it reign xxxx
May I take this opportunity to say thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions and we all wish you the very best of luck in all future endeavours.
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