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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 8, 2009 23:25:26 GMT 12
I think it's time for a thread on Ian.
Where to start... Dad's Army was Ian's first television acting role after he finished training at the Old Vic theatre company.
In 1992 (from memory) Ian toured New Zealand in a play and he ended up living here for several months. One of his sons came out too and stayed living here, though I'm unsure if he still lives in NZ. Ian told me that he loved NZ, it is his most favourite country in the world and he always backs the All Blacks these days (wise move). He's a thoroughly nice chap too.
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Post by maltonseadog on Dec 12, 2009 10:00:36 GMT 12
Do we know if he's contactable? I'd very much like to pay my own personal tribute to him via letter.
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Post by helen on Dec 12, 2009 20:49:07 GMT 12
I am sure he is still appearing in 'Sister Act' at the Palladium. The address is: London Palladium, Argyll Street, London. W1F 7TF
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Post by Katie on Dec 14, 2009 4:57:12 GMT 12
Helen's suggestion to write to Ian at the Palladium is probably the best way to contact him but if don't have any luck you could try Clive Conway Productions. They'll send on any fanmail.  Clive Conway Celebrity Productions Ltd 32 Grove Street Oxford OX2 7JT |
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Post by maltonseadog on Dec 14, 2009 6:46:04 GMT 12
Many thanks to you both for your suggestions!
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Post by ohblimey on Dec 16, 2009 0:22:37 GMT 12
I think it's time for a thread on Ian. Where to start... Dad's Army was Ian's first television acting role after he finished training at the Old Vic theatre company. In 1992 (from memory) Ian toured New Zealand in a play and he ended up living here for several months. One of his sons came out too and stayed living here, though I'm unsure if he still lives in NZ. Ian told me that he loved NZ, it is his most favourite country in the world and he always backs the All Blacks these days (wise move). He's a thoroughly nice chap too. Dave, are you a fan of the ALL BLACKS ? I was a big fan once not long ago. Unfortunately was unable to keep up with the latest info on the team. Lost touch . What is nice to see if the HAKA before every game. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 16, 2009 0:45:23 GMT 12
I'm a huge fan of the All Blacks, they're awesome. And currently the No. 1 rated team in the world, which they're often are. I'm a big fan of Dan Carter, he's an amazin player, and the same goes for Richie McCaw. I like Richie for his hobby too, flying warbird aeroplanes, something I'm very much into.
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Post by ohblimey on Dec 19, 2009 2:32:30 GMT 12
I'm a huge fan of the All Blacks, they're awesome. And currently the No. 1 rated team in the world, which they're often are. I'm a big fan of Dan Carter, he's an amazin player, and the same goes for Richie McCaw. I like Richie for his hobby too, flying warbird aeroplanes, something I'm very much into. Yeah the ALL BLacks ARE AWESOME. I think rugby is a very interesting sport. Unfortunately not everyone can play. Those big, burly guys chaising someone with the ball ! That is excitement !. Having the whole team turn on you is something else !  I watched one of the past world cup events where they had Carlos Spencer. He is smaller than the rest but just as good a player. As you can see, I dont only like him for his looks  I remember the commentator saying...'watch the little guy with the tatoos. ' I'll never forget that. |
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Post by Katie on Aug 16, 2010 19:02:10 GMT 12
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Post by Katie on Nov 11, 2010 7:53:52 GMT 12
Taking a short break from Sister Act, Ian Lavender is currently in Birmingham filming the 2000th episode of the daytime soap "Doctors". The episode entitled Quarantine sees Ian playing Rowland Beckley, a retired brigadier who goes to see Dr Heston Carter (Owen Brenman) at the Mill, and has to stay there under a lockdown when the authorities suspect that someone inside is infected with a deadly virus.
The 2000th episode also guest stars Carol Macready, Simon Chandler, Fraser James and Verity Hewlett, alongside all of the regular Doctors cast members. The episode airs on BBC1 Wednesday 16 February 2011.
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Post by Katie on Dec 12, 2010 2:11:56 GMT 12
Ian will be attending Bristol's annual Slapstick festival in January. From Bristol's Evening Post: The festival's flagship event, the Slapstick Gala at Colston Hall, will see some of Britain's finest national comedy icons introduce their favourite silent comedy shorts on the big screen, accompanied by live music. With Chris Serle as master of ceremonies, Bill Oddie, Barry Cryer, and Ian Lavender introducing their silent comedy heroes, and special guest vocal performances from Neil Innes and Paul McGann, this gala is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the funniest of silent comedy along with our best-loved British comedy performers. Slapstick 2011 runs from Thursday, January 27, until Sunday, January 30, at Watershed, Arnolfini, Colston Hall and Bristol Old Vic. For more information, visit the festival website at www.slapstick.org.uk/events. |
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Post by Crabtree on Feb 1, 2011 22:51:54 GMT 12
I'm a huge fan of the All Blacks, they're awesome. And currently the No. 1 rated team in the world, which they're often are. I'm a big fan of Dan Carter, he's an amazin player, and the same goes for Richie McCaw. I like Richie for his hobby too, flying warbird aeroplanes, something I'm very much into. I was doing a project for school about our future career, and mine being a RAF/RNZAF pilot the only pic I could find of someone in flight jumpsuit was McCaw himself! I hope that this year, after all those years, we will finally win the Webb Ellis trophy on home soil. The brilliant AB's aren't playing here in Sun City, but we are hosting America and italy |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 1, 2011 23:12:34 GMT 12
Richie McCaw is of course a Hon. Squadron Leader in the RNZAF, and he's also a warbird pilot, flying the southern Dakota regularly and he has flown the RNZAF Historic Flight's Harvard on occasions. His grandfather was a fighter pilot in WWII, and his cousin is also a pilot who has been making headlines yesterday with some record breaking glider flight.
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Post by Crabtree on Feb 1, 2011 23:29:41 GMT 12
Wow. Didn't know any of that!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 5, 2011 0:24:28 GMT 12
I hope that this year, after all those years, we will finally win the Webb Ellis trophy on home soil. I know it's long before your time Jasper, but are you aware that New Zealand has already won the Webb Ellis Trophy on home soil in the past? In 1987, the inaugral World Cup. |
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Post by Katie on Feb 14, 2011 3:02:05 GMT 12
An article from today's Sunday Mercury:
Why Ian Lavender is now a Grumpy Old Man
He shot to fame as a Stupid Boy, but this week Ian Lavender officially becomes a Grumpy Old Man.
On Wednesday, he starts claiming his pension as he turns 65. And he freely admits he’s grumpy, as he launches into rants about everything from plastic bags in shops and the demands of pop stars to the titles of films.
Ian found fame as Private Pike in Dad’s Army, a sitcom still shown repeatedly on TV, 43 years after it was first aired. At the time, Ian was only 22 and thought his castmates were ancient. Now he’s their age.
“Yes, I’m an old codger,” chuckles the actor, whose landmark birthday coincides with the 2,000th episode of Doctors. In which he just happens to be guest-starring.
Filming the daytime soap meant a return to his home city, as Ian was born and grew up in Longbridge, Birmingham.
In the hour-long episode is called Quarantine Ian plays ex-brigadier Rowland Beckley, a patient caught up in the lockdown of the surgery when a deadly virus is unleashed.
It’s actually the fourth time Ian has appeared in Doctors since it began 11 years ago.
“The first time, in 2000, I was a friend of Christopher Timothy’s character and I got to play at Edgbaston Golf Course,” he remembers.
“Sadly, it was in the pouring rain. I sank a 35-yard putt but they didn’t film it! I wasn’t happy.
“I can’t remember my second appearance. Then in 2007 I was an asthma sufferer.
“I’m very flattered to be asked back for such a landmark episode. And how nice that it goes out on my birthday.”
Ian is getting pretty good at playing patients, having also appeared in Casualty as a hypochondriac.
“I like lying down!” he laughs. But he’s also had plenty of real-life practice.
He’s overcome cancer of the bladder and seven years ago he had a heart attack. He was saved by prompt treatment by his own GP surgery.
“There are a lot of people who are responsible for me still being here, and I think of them often.
“Death will happen eventually, but I’m putting it off for as long as possible.”
So will he be using his free bus pass when he becomes a pensioner?
Stare
“Well, I would if I could use it in London,” he says. “I live in the country and the bus comes through every two hours, which isn’t much use.
“And it’s hard to know how it works. People stare at you and ask you to get off if you try to give them money.”
The issue of consumer rights leads Ian on to one of his bugbears.
“I do like having arguments in Marks and Spencer,” he says.
“If you buy three pairs of socks for £1, they give you a plastic bag. But if you go to the food department and spend £75, they charge you 5p a bag. It makes no sense.
“Yes, I am a grumpy old man. But unless you’re grumpy and complain, they take things away from you.”
Ian continues to grumble when discussing the demands of diva pop stars.
He played Monsignor Howard in the musical Sister Act for two years at the London Palladium, a role he enjoyed because “I wasn’t worked to death. I came on for a few minutes, then spent the rest of the show in my reclining armchair”.
So did he have any outrageous demands for his dressing room – like Mariah Carey’s wish to be surrounded by white kittens?
“People who ask for that need their bottoms smacked. Who do they think they are?
“It’s just stupid. Get a life! Who is Mariah Carey, anyway?
“I just ask for a comfy chair and a shower that works.”
Talking of US stars, Ian is related to actress and singer Mandy Moore. The 26 year-old is the daughter of his American wife Miki’s cousin.
But mention of Mandy’s latest film – she voices Rapunzel in the Disney animated movie Tangled – gets Ian annoyed again.
“I don’t understand why they don’t call it Rapunzel, as you have to explain what the title means. Next they’ll be renaming Hamlet ‘Gloomy Dane’.”
But one thing is guaranteed to cheer Ian up – his two-year-old granddaughter Ella, who lives in California, and the imminent arrival of her baby sister.
“Being a grandparent is wonderful,” he smiles.
'Doctors' is on Wednesday 16th February, BBC1 at 13:45pm.
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Post by jonboy on Feb 14, 2011 9:33:18 GMT 12
Great news to hear that Ian is enjoying his life - If he lived in the London area he would get his Freedom travel pass already, Its supposed to be for 60's and over only due to the way they calculate your birthday I don't get mine till I'm 61 and 5 months.
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Post by Katie on Jun 27, 2011 3:08:21 GMT 12
Ian Lavender will be appearing in the TV documentary Hidden Paintings on BBC1, tonight at 10.25pm.
He discovers how 150 World War Two evacuees from London’s Royal College of Art – students and teachers – relocated to Cumbria and were inspired by their new surroundings.
His trip begins at the Imperial War Museum in London with an impressive painting called The Grasmere Home Guard by a former professor of painting, Gilbert Spencer.
He meets landscape artist Rebecca Heaton Cooper who identifies the painting as a scene from Rydal Water.
At the Armitt Library and Museum in Ambleside, he discovers a painting of the Ambleside Home Guard by art student Frederick Brill, painted in 1943.
And he also unearths two treasures by Percy Horton at the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere.
He also comes across two paintings at the Golden Rule pub in Ambleside that may have been given to the landlord in lieu of payment. The paintings are now on display at the Armitt Museum.
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Post by faginsgirl on Jun 27, 2011 3:26:04 GMT 12
Brilliant! Thanks for the heads up Katie |
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Post by redbetamax on Sept 15, 2011 2:16:21 GMT 12
It's probably been discussed elsewhere, but Ian put in appearances on another couple of evergreen comedies. He was Dr Cartwright in the sublime Yes Minister (not a role that asked much of him, but always worth watching), and a prospective Liberal MP in Rising Damp. This part was tailor made for his talents, as he fell victim to Miss Jones's advances and Rigsby's sarcasm.
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