Passion ends when cameras stop rolling

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 14

Passion ends when cameras stop rolling

Paul Eddington and Nanette Newman look the part as a pair of passionate lovers in the new television series, “Let There Be Love.” which will begin on Monday next week. The new series will replace “The Stanley Baxter Series" (One. 9.30 p.m.). Paul Eddington will be familiar to viewers through his role as James Hacker. M:P.. in “Yes. Minister" and also as Gerry in "The Good Life." In this new series. “Let There Be Love," Eddington plays a confirmed bachelor by the name of Timothy Love who suddenly finds all he has stood for going down the drain when a lady called Judy (played by Nanette Newman) enters his life. But. sadly for the gossipmongers, the passion ends abruptly the. moment the cameras stop rolling. Eddington, at 54. is happily married to the actress. Patricia Scott, and has four grown-up children. Nanette Newman, aged 42, mother of two grown daughters, is the wife of the. director/writer. Bryan Forbes. that does not stop Eddington and Ms Newman being good friends. “The lovely

thing is." says- Ms Newman, "that before we started working together in ‘Let There Be Love.' we admired each other's work tremendously.

"I was absolutely terrified of doing a TV comedy series. I don't know what on earth made me accept the part. It was completely different from anything I’d ever done. “I was a complete bag of nerves when I turned up for rehearsals, and suddenly, there was Paul, so calm and reassuring."

Eddington says: "The

moment we did the first read-through. I knew everything was going to be okay. Nanette and I just seemed to be able to spark one another off ... the timing was terrific ... everything clicked."

There is an added bonus for them. too. in the roles they are playing.

"For once, I'm not an idiot," says Eddington, with a cheerful. self-deprecating grin. “Or at least not as much of an idiot as usual.

"As Jerry in ‘The Good Life' I was well and truly

under the thumb for most of the time, and let's face it. as Jim Hacker in ‘Yes. Minister I get taken for a fair old ride.

“But Timothy Love is just the kind of character every bloke fantasises about. He's rich smooth, sophisticated, successful. Ah, yes. it’s very me. I'd love to think!" Ms Newman, too. admits she feels the same way about her role as Judy.

“It's lovely to be thought of as sexy and eligible again ,on TV." she says. "Like playing a game at being unfaithful.

"But the nicest thing of all is that it is a game, and when it's over I can go back to reality and home to all the things I love best. "Quite honestly, home is where I'm happiest. "I met Bryan when 1 was 16. married him at 18. so we've been together for a long time. “I think too many people worry too much about love nowadays. “I'm a great believer in instinct. I don't analyse anything. I just fell hopelessly in love. Bryan said. ‘Will vou

marry me?' and I didn't give it another thought. “I just said. 'Yes'. And. looking back, it's the most intelligent thing I ever did. “Tve always done exactly what I wanted to do. First and foremost that was to be married to Bryan and have a lovely home for him and our children. “Over the years. I've wanted to keep on working, and I've done that. too. But I've never been over-ambi-tious. I'm glad to say.

"Now the children are grown up — Sarah is 22 and a journalist and Emma is 16 and training to be a ballet dancer — I have more time to work and also .to write. Ms Newman has now become a best-selling authoress of such children's books as “God Bless Love." and “The Fun Food Factory." which she also presented as a television series.

"I think one has to adjust ... as one goes along. You can't really plan your life in this business — there are so many ups and downs. But. at the same time, it's like an adventure. There's always something new to look for-

ward to." Being sexy on television is 5 nothing new’for Ms Newman. * although "Stay With Me Till * Morning." the television ad-* aptation of John Brain's* Yorkshire saga, was about * the most explicit thing she* had done. J "When I made the film • Room At The Top' there J were a lot of nude scenes J which I refused to do be-< cause I didn't think they' were relevant. i

"Then, when Bryan and L£ went to see it at a local, cinema, there I was. appar-' ently nude ... and it was' somebody else's body. C

"All the notices said how J incredibly sexy the whole! thing was. And maybe it was. ; But it wasn't actually me. ,

“I think I'd die of embar-* rassment." *

What about the love scenes: in "tay With Me Till Morn-J ing" and "Let There Be J Love" 9

Says Ms Newman: "Well. J there's suggestion ... and .* what it all adds up to really ; is what's going on in your-, own mind when . you're J watching it." * Features International !