FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TIM VINCENT
What are you working on?
Filming for Access Hollywood pretty much all of the time. I’ve just done the James Bond premiere, and recently spent three weeks reporting from the Olympic stadium. I love Access Hollywood – it’s different every day.
When were you at your happiest?
When I was 20 I was offered a job on Blue Peter. It was a great time in my life, a fantastic high-profile job – without any presenting experience. Director Alex Leger kept me busy, breaking the sound barrier one week in a Tornado jet, driving tanks the next. Life was never dull.
What is your greatest fear?
I once filmed a Blue Peter slot in Norway, doing snow survival with the British Army. We dug a hole in the snow to survive and someone had to stay awake to stop us suffocating. The next day I jumped into a frozen lake. Since then I’ve always avoided cold water.
What is your earliest memory?
Nearly drowning in a river with my mum – water again. I remember floating in dark water and then intense light. I was about three years old and had long hair, which, thankfully, my mum grabbed and pulled me out by.
Who has been your greatest influence?
You make your own decisions. Influences are important but nobody should override your own thought processes.
What do you dislike most about yourself?
My sweet tooth. I’ve got a real dessert craving – I’ll have whatever’s on the menu.
What is your most treasured possession?
I did a set visit for The Mummy 3 and the director gave me two life-size terracotta soldiers. They’re in the entrance hall of my London home. They attract a lot of attention from visitors needless to say.
Which trait do you most deplore in others?
Indecision. It kills creativity.
Do you have a fantasy address?
The best address I ever had was 51st and 8th Street, New York, immediately behind Times Square. I was there for three years. All life was there. It’s a 24-hour city that lives up to its name. I doubt anything will top that.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I could always do with losing a pound or two. That’s the sweet tooth at work again.
What is your all-time favourite book?
The Moon’s A Balloon by David Niven. It’s the first true autobiography. Before Niven, all autobiographies by actors were about their method and their plays. Niven talks about who he seduced. It’s very funny, too.
What is your favourite film?
Withnail & I. Like fine wine, it just gets better and better.
What is your favourite piece of music?
I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with the Rolling Stones, backstage and at their concerts, so anything by them.
What is your favourite meal?
I’m not a hugely good cook so it’d have to be pasta. I can always rustle something up.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
David Niven. Failing that, anyone who likes pasta and is hungry. Robert De Niro, maybe?
Which historical character do you most admire?
Winston Churchill. He was a statesman, a soldier, a humorist and a journalist. Was there anything he couldn’t do?
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
I’ve got selective hearing; I don’t remember the nasty bits.
What is your secret vice?
I gave up smoking in January last year. It was hell. I’ve slipped a couple of times, so I suppose that’s my vice.
Do you write thank-you notes?
No. I wish I did.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Leave it with me.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
A brand-new Land Rover Discovery. I had an old Defender, but it was terrible on motorways.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
It doesn’t matter what it says, but I’d like a scratch-and-sniff headstone. Maybe they’ll take off.
Blue Peter: Behind The Badge by Alex Leger is published by Lauren Productions, priced £20, plus p&p, and is available from www.bluepeterbook.co.uk
Filming for Access Hollywood pretty much all of the time. I’ve just done the James Bond premiere, and recently spent three weeks reporting from the Olympic stadium. I love Access Hollywood – it’s different every day.
When were you at your happiest?
When I was 20 I was offered a job on Blue Peter. It was a great time in my life, a fantastic high-profile job – without any presenting experience. Director Alex Leger kept me busy, breaking the sound barrier one week in a Tornado jet, driving tanks the next. Life was never dull.
What is your greatest fear?
I once filmed a Blue Peter slot in Norway, doing snow survival with the British Army. We dug a hole in the snow to survive and someone had to stay awake to stop us suffocating. The next day I jumped into a frozen lake. Since then I’ve always avoided cold water.
What is your earliest memory?
Nearly drowning in a river with my mum – water again. I remember floating in dark water and then intense light. I was about three years old and had long hair, which, thankfully, my mum grabbed and pulled me out by.
Who has been your greatest influence?
You make your own decisions. Influences are important but nobody should override your own thought processes.
What do you dislike most about yourself?
My sweet tooth. I’ve got a real dessert craving – I’ll have whatever’s on the menu.
What is your most treasured possession?
I did a set visit for The Mummy 3 and the director gave me two life-size terracotta soldiers. They’re in the entrance hall of my London home. They attract a lot of attention from visitors needless to say.
Which trait do you most deplore in others?
Indecision. It kills creativity.
Do you have a fantasy address?
The best address I ever had was 51st and 8th Street, New York, immediately behind Times Square. I was there for three years. All life was there. It’s a 24-hour city that lives up to its name. I doubt anything will top that.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I could always do with losing a pound or two. That’s the sweet tooth at work again.
What is your all-time favourite book?
The Moon’s A Balloon by David Niven. It’s the first true autobiography. Before Niven, all autobiographies by actors were about their method and their plays. Niven talks about who he seduced. It’s very funny, too.
What is your favourite film?
Withnail & I. Like fine wine, it just gets better and better.
What is your favourite piece of music?
I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with the Rolling Stones, backstage and at their concerts, so anything by them.
What is your favourite meal?
I’m not a hugely good cook so it’d have to be pasta. I can always rustle something up.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
David Niven. Failing that, anyone who likes pasta and is hungry. Robert De Niro, maybe?
Which historical character do you most admire?
Winston Churchill. He was a statesman, a soldier, a humorist and a journalist. Was there anything he couldn’t do?
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
I’ve got selective hearing; I don’t remember the nasty bits.
What is your secret vice?
I gave up smoking in January last year. It was hell. I’ve slipped a couple of times, so I suppose that’s my vice.
Do you write thank-you notes?
No. I wish I did.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Leave it with me.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
A brand-new Land Rover Discovery. I had an old Defender, but it was terrible on motorways.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
It doesn’t matter what it says, but I’d like a scratch-and-sniff headstone. Maybe they’ll take off.
Blue Peter: Behind The Badge by Alex Leger is published by Lauren Productions, priced £20, plus p&p, and is available from www.bluepeterbook.co.uk