While much of the humour in 55 Degrees North comes from odd couple
partners Clark and Astel - Newcastle's very own Laurel & Hardy - this
series it's Astel, played by Andrew Dunn, who gets
the belly laughs all by himself.
Ìý
Comedy comes calling when Astel enters a Cop Idol singing competition
with his own unique rendition of Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse Of
The Heart.
Ìý
And for Andrew, it was an experience he will never forget - mainly
because the rest of the cast won't let him.
Ìý
"When I read the script I couldn't stop laughing. I still to this
day do not know why they chose that particular song and me singing it
is absolutely horrific. Everyone's been taking the mickey and I'm never
going to live this one down," says Andrew, shaking his head.
Ìý
"I'd never sung in front of people before, so filming it was quite
an ordeal for me - but thankfully I got a round of applause at the end.
I think the first time we shot it everyone was really enjoying themselves,
but by the time we got to the 38th take they were well and truly sick
of the sound of my voice!
Ìý
"As if the humiliation of singing Total Eclipse Of The Heart on
national television wasn't enough, they also made me do a dance routine
- with lots of turn around twirls and pleading hand actions - whilst
wearing a shirt which flowed in the wind like Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic.
Ìý
But unfortunately Astel is taking it so seriously that he looks more
like David Brent than Leonardo. I just look like a big fat thing in
flowery shirt.
Ìý
"My son, Elliot, will probably be sobbing on the floor when it's on
telly, worrying how he's going to face his friends at school the next
day..."
Ìý
Determined to win the competition, Astel enrols himself for some singing
lessons, which unexpectedly brings him welcome female attention in the
form of his teacher Irene (series newcomer Elaine C Smith).
Ìý
However, he's soon put in an awkward position when his new girlfriend
makes it clear she doesn't like his police partner, Clark (Mark
Stobbart).
Ìý
"Astel can't believe he's met such a wonderful woman, but there's also
a real conflict there as she doesn't like Clark, who really gets on
her nerves.
Ìý
"So he's caught between the two of them. Of course he can't abandon
his workmate - he's very loyal to Clark - but at the same time he feels
he's being forced to chose between the two."
Ìý
While Astel may have become a hit with the ladies, he doesn't make
much of an impact on his gruff new boss, DI Bing (Mark Lewis
Jones).
Ìý
"Rick Astel is a solid, reliable, old-style policeman, but Bing takes
an instant dislike to him so his chances of ever getting promotion have
quite obviously gone down the pan.
Ìý
"He takes a liking to Clark and says he will go far, but also
insists that Astel won't. He calls him The Fat Sergeant," chuckles Andrew.
Ìý
Filming in Newcastle meant a trip down memory lane for the hardworking
actor, who grew up in the North East city.
Ìý
"It has been very strange because I was raised in Newcastle and we've
been filming on the streets I grew up on. I've bumped into quite a few
people from my past, which has really made me think about the passage
of time.
Ìý
Printable version