You ask a question: I’m afraid, you get an answer.

When my grandmother died (1981) my mother announced that she wasn’t doing Christmas anymore. By which she meant: hosting it, as we, as a family, had done for a quarter of a century. I was 18 at the time and couldn’t care less. I bummed Xmas from anyone who would have me. I had various dinners at girlfriends houses. The very jolly occasions of being in a play and enjoying a Christmas in an unfamiliar town with mixed company. Sometimes, I had Xmas on my own. Which isn’t as bad as it sounds. Then I got together with the woman who I would later marry and suddenly I found that I was hosting Xmas. I did it at my mother in law’s house (She had servants before and consequently, didn’t now how to cook) and latterly, after we were married, at our home in Clapham. I learnt to loath and detest it. As my mother had, no doubt, done. I did it for about twenty years. A house full of my ghastly in-laws…complaining…at length. I actually told my mother in law to ‘Fuck off!’ one year, the pain of it all was so bad. But now…

Well, things are a lot better. For starters: I’m divorced and don’t have to put up with the dreadful in-laws. I can do what I want. Yipee! I will be having my sons on Xmas eve for lunch (I’ll be going to our local pub: so no cooking) and loads of presents and a shed load of crackers. So I get Xmas over before it happens.

Not that I ignore Xmas. I have a splendid tree (fake. courtesy of Marks & Spenser’s) and presents under it. We will start the day with a marmalade vodka martini. Followed by bucks fizz. My girlfriend and I will be staying in bed for as long as possible or until the champagne runs out. I will not be doing Turkey ( A nightmare to cook) but a beef silverside joint. With roast potato’s, roast parsnips and celeriac and swede mash. Followed by a fine selection of cheese and, if we’re feeling up for it, a baby Xmas pud and cream.And then back to bed.

We might go for a walk on Boxing day…But then again…We might just stay in bed.

The most special thing for me, as an actor, is knowing I will be working in the new year. For most of us pro’s, Xmas can be depressing as if your not working, nothing much happens till the end of February. So, all in all, it’s going to be a good Christmas.