Robert Lindsay has hit out at the treatment of actors during the COVID-19 pandemic by the UK government.
Robert Lindsay
With British theatres closed for over a year and social distancing measures bringing filming to a halt on numerous television and movie productions, the acting industry has suffered greatly during lockdown in the UK and the 71-year-old actor believes the lack of respect shown to performers by the government has only served to harm their mental health.
In an interview with Daily Telegraph newspaper, he said: "I find the low self-esteem that comes from not being treated with any respect very hard, and most people in our industry live with that day in, day out, because you’re so vulnerable. You never know if you’re going to be working, a success, of you’re getting too old, too fat.”
But the ‘My Family’ star has at least been fortunate to find work during lockdown, including performing a virtual reading of 'Waiting for Godot' with Joanna Lumley and Sir Michael Palin.
Robert admits 'Monty Python' star Palin, 78, reaffirmed his reputation as one of the nicest people in showbiz, so much so that he could imagine marrying him if he was not heterosexual.
He joked: “As John Cleese said, "Michael makes you sick, he’s so nice.' If I’d been the other way I’d have married him!"
Robert - who is married to former 'Generation Game' co-host Rosemarie Ford with whom he shares two sons - shot to fame playing Marxist political activist Wolfie Smith in 1970s sitcom 'Citizen Smith', which was written by 'Only Fools and Horses' creator John Sullivan.
He left the role after four series after being overwhelmed by his sudden TV fame, and Robert admits he was shocked to see Wolfie and his slogan "power to the people" become an internet meme during the last election because he always perceived him as a "joke".
Remembering the famous role, Robert said: "I couldn't go anywhere without being recognised; I was with Wolfie 24/7.
"Someone in Scotland was using the logo in local council elections, I was really shocked, Wolfie was such a joke, he was a loser!"
Tagged in Joanna Lumley John Cleese Michael Palin