Dennis Waterman plays Gerry Standing
Dennis Waterman returns to the all-action days of The Sweeney in the
new series of New Tricks.
"In one episode I do a chase, running after a large bloke up some stairs
and through gardens. It's funny because I'm not quite as I was, though
I can still throw a punch and have a fight if the script calls for it.
"I also knock a bloke into a lake and Alun and I have a very silly
boys' fight in a scene when we're rolling around on the floor, arguing
who is paid the most."
Dennis is thrilled with the response to the series.
"I've only had good reactions from people and the demographic of viewers
is very wide.
"There's a couple of ex-coppers at my golf club and they love
it, but friends of my kids love it as well.
"We've also had some fantastic guests coming in, which shows you
how highly the series is thought of.
"I think people like seeing four professional actors up there
of a certain age. I suppose we must all have big egos but we leave them
at home.
"Also what's attractive is our lack of political correctness. Our characters
disagree with modern police methods but as we're civilians we can cheat.
"That puts Pullman in jeopardy because she is a serving police
officer. We can be quite naughty and misbehave.
"I could never be a policeman in real life, though. It's a horrible
job. Once people have met me, they know I could never solve a crime
and sort anything out!"
There are some personal problems on the way for Gerry Standing.
"He has a tryst with one of his ex-wives and it's not very successful.
It's a big worry for him, as it is for any bloke.
He also has an addiction to gambling and ends up taking on a case to
pay back a huge debt to a bookie.
"I'm not into betting because my father was a big gambler and whatever
he had he lost. But we had fun filming the episode at Walthamstow dog
track. I think I came out about 12 quid ahead."
Adds Dennis: "There is lots of humour in it but we are aware that we
have to keep it real instead of going down the slapstick route.
"There are some serious moments too. We have an Indian family
with a girl in a coma and Gerry has a long speech about racism and how
most of us are racist in a way. I think it's a really good episode."
A former child actor, Dennis's many credits include The Canterbury
Tales, Minder, On The Up, Stay Lucky, The Lives And Loves Of A She Devil,
Circles Of Deceit and a long running role in the West End production
of My Fair Lady.
He lives with his partner Pam in Buckinghamshire with their rescued
Labrador dog Chelsea - named in honour of Dennis's favourite football
club.
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