John - Hi Alex first of all thank you for talking to us today.

 

Alex - You’re very welcome!

 

 

John - When you were growing up what were the TV shows that got you hooked watching them?

 

Alex - Erm, stuff like Sooty, Thomas Tank Engine, Rainbow, Looney Tunes, Art Attack. Loads of stuff, I watched quite a lot of tv as a kid. 

 

 

John - When did you first realise that you wanted to work in the world of television?

 

Alex - I don’t think it was ever an ambition of mine before I did it. It was more of a hobby that got out of hand from what I remember. It probably wasn’t until I’d been doing it a few years as a kid that I realised it was something I’d like to carry on with. 

 

 

John - Do you remember your first day working on a TV show, what was the show and how did your first day go?

 

Alex - I was about 10 I think. It must have been my second job after ‘An Inspector Calls’ at the Garrick Theatre. It was a BBC film called ‘Sex & Chocolate’ with Dawn French & Phil Daniels - who were both lovely. I knew Dawn from TV but it wasn’t until I saw Quadrophenia years later I realised who Phil was. I don’t remember days specifically but I enjoyed working with everyone on that. My brother Michael was in it too - they dyed his hair so he would look more like me. 

 

 

John - Who influenced you in your career?

 

Alex - When I was young I thought Jim Carrey was brilliant. I watched ‘The Mask’ a lot. I love some of Johnny Depp’s early films too.

 

 

John - Over the years who has been the most famous person you have worked with or met?

 

Alex - I think the most famous person was probably Hugh Grant at the About A Boy wrap party. I didn’t actually have any scenes with him in the film so it was the first time we met. Nice chap, he said he’d heard about me which I severely doubt.

 

 

John - When did you first hear about My Parents Are Aliens?

 

Alex - 1999 I think. I remember feeling like I’d done well in the audition - which is unusual. Most of the time you haven’t a clue but I remember feeling pretty good about this one and was lucky enough to get called back.

 

 

John - What were your thoughts when you first read the script?

 

Alex - It was a long time ago but I suppose I must have found it funny. I’ve read them since and I still think they’re brilliant. We had very good writers. Particularly Andy Watts, the creator of the show.

 

 

John - What did you think about the other members of the cast when you first heard who you will be be working with?

 

Alex - I didn’t know who any of them were. I remember getting on pretty well with them all. I think I sat next to Tony (Brian) in the first readthrough. We hung out at Glastonbury this year and freaked a few people out.

 

 

John - Has anything funny ever happened or gone wrong while filming live that you remember and how did you react and carry on?

 

Alex - All the time! I fell over a lot - something I continue to excel at even today.

 

 

John - What is your favourite My Parents Are Aliens episode or the one you had the most fun filming and why?

 

Alex - I had a lot of favourites. I loved some of the stuff we got away with. Jokes that would never be allowed on a kids show these days. Which would explain the popularity of the show among parents. There was always something for them in there too.

 

 

John - What projects are you currently working on and where can your fans see you next

 

Alex - I’ve been very involved in music in recent years. At the moment I’m playing bass in a band called Release The Bats & we’re releasing our debut album very soon. I also plan to record an album of my own in the future.

 

 

John - Thank you for answering our questions today Alex it means a lot to us.

 

Alex - No problem!