As the war raged on I studied English at Oxford University, but my education was interrupted by my joining the RAF to train as a pilot. It was there that I got to meet Richard Burton – a navigator in the RAF – who would become so great a friend.
In 1949 I embarked on a career as an actor, and I was with Richard when I met Churchill for a second time in the early 1950s. We were appearing in Hamlet together at the Old Vic, with Richard as the Prince of Denmark. We knew Winston, who at this time was once again Prime Minister, was in the audience – he was unmissable sitting in the front row.
After the performance we were in Richard’s dressing room when the mighty man burst in, cigar in hand, and, addressing Richard as if he was still in character, said, ‘Your Highness, I am in great need – do have you a lavatory?’
When he came out he complemented Richard on his ‘very forthright Hamlet’ before adding, ‘I’m astonished that such a man should wait so long to avenge his father!’ Needless to say, Richard and I dined out on that for weeks to come.
Robert Hardy
He hosted a series called “Castle Ghosts”. I think they aired on TLC (that’s back when it was actually ‘The Learning Channel’). We watched those every Halloween. Plenty of atmosphere, Hardy did a brilliant job narrating, and it was filled with good old traditional chills and spooks to keep the kids shivering. His delivery was so believable you’d think he was a reporter investigating the latest car models for the upcoming year. He will be missed.
Loved his interpretation of Sigfried. The character was based on Afred Wight (aka “James Herriot’)’s partner, Donald Sinclair. Supposedly, the Wight character interpreted by Hardy was more predictable and tranquil than the original. (He wasn’t ‘irascible’, he was florid. The irascible characters were the farmers who were their clients).