Super-cool Bowles preoccupied with death

Press, 12 August 1985, Page 11

Super-cool Bowles preoccupied with death

British actor Peter Bowles may appear to be Mr Cool playing Major Sinclair Yeates in “The Irish R.M.,” but in real life he is a self-confessed hypochondriac.

For 30 years he has “enjoyed” bad health, he admits. Not only has he had it, but he could not live without it.

“I wake up every morning and think: ‘How do you feel today Peter?’ The answer is usually ‘foul.’

“It is a thoroughly upsetting condition, really,” he says.

“But I have this morbid preoccupation with death and disease, I have to see my doctor at least twice a week so he can assure me that I’m 0.K.” Bowles takes a lot of convincing that every nerve, muscle and organ in his

body is functioning normally.

“There are times when my whole body is racked with pain,” he says. “Some days it is sheer agony just to get out of bed.” What makes him so worried?

It began at the age of 16 when he was examined because of stomach pains. His doctor decided he was constipated and prescribed him a laxative. A few hours later his appendix burst and ife had a close brush with death.

“I have been terrified of illness and death ever since,” says Bowles. “I lie awake at night wondering if I’m ill. The worry prevents me from sleeping and the inability to sleep starts me worrying all over again.” “The Irish R.M.” screens this evening on One at 7.30.