"Fabulous" has coffee with Tony
The Buffy and Little Britain star is back in the new series of Merlin. And where better to have a chat with the original Gold Blend man than in a cafe over a coffee?
Where: Lantana, 13 Charlotte Place, London, W1T 1SN
When: Monday, September 6, 4pm
Q: So, Anthony, how do you like your coffee?
Semi-skimmed cappuccino with sweetener. I can't believe you're asking me about coffee. And making me pose with a cup! No one's done that for years.
Q: Sorry, but for some of us you'll always be the Gold Blend man. Is that really annoying?
No, it's part of my history - it's the reason I went to America and was able to do Buffy. I'm very proud of it. And I'm still in touch with [Gold Blend co-star] Sharon Maughan - she's a great soul.
Q: Is that what you still get recognised for the most, then, the coffee ads?
Actually, no. I've done such a mixed bag of stuff since, from Merlin to [the 2002 sitcom] Manchild. Sometimes I'll think someone knows me from Little Britain but it turns out they're one of a whole new generation of kids watching Buffy repeats.
Q: Ah, yes, Buffy. Your co-star in that, Sarah Michelle Gellar, has a reputation for being a little, well, tricky. How did you find her?
She was lovely with me and absolutely enchanting to my daughters [Emily, now 21, and Daisy, 19] who were nine and seven when I started working on Buffy. They'd come on set and Sarah Michelle was always excited to see them.
Q: Have you got any insider secrets from Merlin?
The new series is bigger and better. There's some dark, funny stuff and it's sumptuous to look at. Blistering special effects, stunning photography, great music it's all there.
Q: You're in pretty good nick for 56.
[He almost snorts coffee through his nose.] Thank you very much! I'm not sure that I am but all I can say is that at 91, my mum looks very good - I guess it's in the genes.
Q: Don't you exercise at all?
Er, no. My partner [of 26 years] Sarah [Fisher] makes me drink lots of water because it's supposed to be really good for you. And I guess I don't eat badly.
Q:You're a vegetarian, aren't you?
Well, I eat fish, eggs and dairy but no meat, so I'm a pesco-ovo-lactarian.
Q: Try saying that after a couple of beers! Your A-list lifestyle must mean you've got some famous numbers in your phone. Who's the most famous? David Walliams?
Walliams is there, yes, Matt Lucas, all sorts of people. Tennant [David, of Doctor Who fame]. Umm, Peter Shaffer [the playwright]. All sorts, all sorts.
Q: Tell us a secret about yourself.
I've got quite a short fuse. People think I'm very laid-back but when I'm stressed, I can go from 0-60 very quickly.
Which is probably our cue to leave you to enjoy your coffee...
Merlin, Saturdays, BBC1.
The damage
Coffees drunk: 2 cappuccinos and 1 fresh mint tea
People who stopped to stare at Anthony: 4
Number of times he did that crinkly eye thing which seduced a nation: 3
Times his phone buzzed: 3
SOURCE: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk
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