UP CLOSE WITH FORMER EASTENDERS ACTOR JOHN ALTMAN
With his distinctive mop of slicked back dark hair ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton from EastEnders always had an air of menace about him…
But today you will see an altogether calmer real-life character in actor John Altman, who loves shopping at M & S in Teddington and is a regular at a local coffee shop near his home.
John, now 72, who was written out of the long-running BBC soap in 2015, couldn’t resist tuning in for the landmark 40th anniversary ‘live’ show this week and was full of praise.
The famous Queen Vic was hit by a massive explosion throwing up all sorts of new plot lines.
“I thought they did it very well,” said John. “They always have done but I’m still not sure why they do it live because it looks just like the same as a recorded episode unless someone makes a mistake. ”
He adds: “I sometimes wonder how many births, deaths, divorces and affairs and fights you can have in a series like EastEnders but they keep it fresh and very watchable. ”
John, who has just finished a new horror film called The Last Grail Hunter and a stint as King Custard in The Jack and The Beanstalk panto in Torquay winning rave reviews, has no regrets about his 30 years in Albert Square – he was just 32 when he appeared in the first episode in 1985.
“I’ve got no regrets at all. Nasty Nick opened lots of doors which would never have opened had I not appeared in the series but it’s always been a double-edged sword for me.”
As well as his long acting career he is also a musician and made a self-penned CD called ‘It’s Never Too Late to Rock n Roll’ (available on all music platforms) and wrote his autobiography called ‘In the Nick Of Time.’ (available on Audible)
He is passionate about the area and loves the River and the parks being on his doorstep. He was an active campaigner and supporter for the Park Lane Stables in Teddington when it was threatened with closure and made a video backing the fundraising efforts.
”I’ve always had a soft spot for horses. My mother, my sister and my 10 year old granddaughter have all loved riding over the years and I was delighted to do my little bit to help the community.”
John is less enthusiastic about the new Sainsbury’s near Hampton Wick station which he describes as ‘greed not need’ and ‘totally unnecessary.’
“I remember the building as the old Rose & Crown pub which had a well known fringe theatre upstairs.
“Who is going to use it? There is nowhere easy to park and there’s plenty of independent shops here without yet another supermarket – it’s ridiculous. I don’t know how they got permission.”
Despite his tough EastEnders TV role he was brought up in a middle-class family near Reading in Berkshire but has lived in this area since 2001.
“Why would you ever think of living anywhere else? It’s so convenient, thirty five minutes into Waterloo, close to Gatwick and Heathrow and it’s a very safe and peaceful place to live.
”The local people are very friendly and I’m very lucky to have very kind and helpful neighbours.
“For Eastenders to have lasted 40 years is a real achievement and I am proud to have been part of its great success.”