Salford-born film and TV star Robert Powell says Jeremy Clarkson's recent comments about Salford over the BBC's move north are "twaddle".
Robert has long been a supporter of the big BBC move to Media City at Salford Quays, so when he headed back to home turf at the weekend, The Diary had to ask him what he made of the Top Gear host's controversial outburst.
Clarkson had described Salford as: “a small suburb with little to offer beyond a Starbucks and a canal with ducks,” and said he would rather quit the BBC than move north.
Robert smiled: “I like Jeremy, but I thought that was a real piece of twaddle, it was utterly ridiculous, I don't think Jeremy has ever even been to Salford.
“Salford and Manchester have really got their act together over the years.”
He tells me he's been championing his home city to friends at the BBC, although admits the fact he now lives in London has not entirely helped his case.
He says: “I don't know what any of them are moaning about having to move up north, but I have been criticised for saying that, people say it's alright for him with his big house in Hampstead saying that, so I can sort of see their point!
“But Manchester is an extraordinary place to live and work. I have just done a walking tour around the Northern Quarter, it's an area I've never been before and it was quite a revelation. This is such an extraordinarily vibrant place.”
Robert, who shot to fame playing Jesus of Nazareth in 1977, tells me he's currently between jobs after finishing a UK theatre tour.
He laughs: “Technically, I'm an out of work jobbing actor at the moment, although I have to say I'm quite pleased about that.
“I'm open to offers and suggestions – the worst that can happen is I say no, and you never know I might say yes!”
That was exactly how Robert came to be a patron of Manchester's 24:7 Theatre Festival, which got underway this weekend, and explained the actor's visit back to home turf.
He says: “I've been a patron now for eight years, but this is the first time I've been able to get up here, because usually it's clashed with work.
“Anything that promotes new writing is worth supporting wholeheartedly. Actors only exist if there are interesting things to say, you have to have a good script.”
So would Robert consider a starring role in next year's festival?
He smiles: “The great thing is it allows actors who may not otherwise be able to showcase their talent to do so, so I think it would be churlish of me to take their place.”
For full details of this year's theatre festival, see www.247theatrefestival.co.uk
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Who's Robert Powell?
i agree with you mr powell, i was born in salford in 1947, and i can say you will
never meet better people, i love it.
Old unemployed geezer, who I have never heard of & don't recognise, but 30 odd years ago played Jesus at theatre slags Clarkson off. So what ?
PS I played St Francis in our school nativity play about the same time & am available for an interview.
A rehash of an old story.
Of course it's twaddle, that's what Jeremy Clarkson is famous for and why he's so popular.
It would be easy to say 'it's all well & good you saying how great Salford is when you live in London' but that would be a cheap shot. Lots of people live somewhere other than their home town but love their roots too (myself included)
But here's the thing:
You live in London because that's where the work is, how would you feel if (for political reasons) you were told that you had to up sticks & move to Wolverhampton?
So Clarkson quits the BBC...is the loss of a chauvanistic ill educated old man really that big a deal?
For pity's sake, can you just let this go MEN? If what Jeremy Clarkson says matters to any of you that much then you really need to get out more. His opinions should be of no importance to anyone but his loved ones, but instead you're treating him like some great sage. Get over it already!
It's apparent that Clarkson's tongue is in his cheek a lot of the time. You can see him stifling a smile or a laugh. And perhaps he's making an opinion, but he's entitled to do that after all.
And Robert Powell, When could we see a showing of "Looking for Clancy" - the 1975 series? I enjoyed that.
As someone born and raised in Salford I didn't take offence at Clarkson's comments, I actually found it funny and tongue in cheek. This is Jezza for goodness sake, it's what he does. Go read one of his books and you'll see what I mean.
I wonder why Robert Powell dosnt live in salford anymore? infact theres some great houses in the salford area . powell put your money where your mouth is.Buy yourself a house in salford now that the BBC are moving in the area.
I liked Robert Powell in that 70s horror film Asylum
As for Clarkson, don't give him the oxygen of publicity, give him the carbon monoxide of indifference
I think Clarkesons got a point. Salford is a crime riddled cess pit after all! Don't shoot the messenger!
To those saying they've never heard of Robert Powell - hello!! The Italian Job, the Four Feathers, the Thirty Nine Steps. Some of the biggest/best films of all time.
Clarkson was borna and raised in DONCASTER!! He worked as a journo in Leeds for many years.
He is winding you up so just please let it go because you are making yourseleves look stupid.
Ask this Robert Powell where in Salford he lives. Probably just off the Crescent turn right and go 200 miles don the M1.
Who's Jeremy Clarkson?
Cant believe some people have never heard of Robert Powell to be honest - he is a brill actor who has been going for years!!
As for Salford - my parents and Grandparents were born there and loved it. I lived there after getting married and hated it - thanks to some very undesireable neighbours. It was a lovely area years ago - but I'm afraid scumbags in the area ruin it for everyone. I had to leave my dream house after I had bins set on fire weekly, car broken into/stolen 3 times, tyres slashed and windows smashed. All because I was a working single mum and they knew they could get away with it.
Do we really need boy?? racers like Clarkson up here, we have enough of our home grown ones without importing more.
Eccles man with a posh voice and does voiceovers.