Entertainment
Ben Miller ‘wouldn’t have done anything’ if he hadn’t met comedy partner Alexander Armstrong-Sue Crawford-Entertainment – Metro
The comedian is also backing a campaign to combat loneliness.
Ben Miller says he’d not have had the confidence to start out as a solo act (Picture: Metro.co.uk/Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
The actor, 56, on the paralysing grief of losing his father, swapping town for country and being mistaken for Rob Brydon.
Are you a fan of Christmas?
You either hate it or you really love it and I definitely love it. My parents were atheists but there were decorations all over the house. Two years ago, during lockdown, we didn’t even buy a turkey – there was no point for two adults and two little kids but there are going to be 12 of us this year.
To get to our house you have to drive through a wood. It’s a good excuse to put Christmas lights up outside, otherwise no one is going to find us. I haven’t got as far as a Santa sleigh on the roof. One day we’ll get there.
Why are you supporting the Good Morning Britain 1 Million Minutes campaign?
People pledge time to charities that tackle the issue of loneliness, rather than pledging money, which can only be a good thing, given the difficulties so many face in terms of the rising costs. I’ve supported it previously but this is the first time I’ve helped launch it.
The comedian with Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard on GMB for the 1 Million Minutes campaign (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
You’ve written and directed a short film for the campaign called A Slice Of Life…
It’s the story of someone who has recently lost their partner. You flash back to them in the kitchen, having a bit of a laugh together and then you realise that this partner’s not around any more.
The main character is at a loss and she gets a slice of bread, a big contrast to the fantastically elaborate chicken meal her partner cooks. Then the doorbell rings and her son has turned up with the chicken dish that her partner was known for. The doorbell goes again and a whole succession of people turn up with this chicken dish.
It’s incredibly moving – what inspired you?
I remember going through terrible depression about two years after my father died in 2011. I felt like I was wading through treacle. I couldn’t really do anything and I couldn’t see a point in anything.
It was horrible because he died when I was just about to start a play. I carried on and did it, then my son Harrison was born and then I was off to Guadeloupe filming Death In Paradise.
Ben starring in Death In Paradise (Picture: BBC)
When it caught up with me – like it always does – it was almost too much to process, because I hadn’t really dealt with it at the time. I reached a point where I almost couldn’t function and I had to grieve. I remember feeling very lonely. I was surrounded by all the people that loved me but still felt alone.
You rose to fame as half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller. How do you think your life would have panned out if you hadn’t met Alexander?
I don’t think I’d have gone anywhere or done anything if we hadn’t met. Together we had such a lot of bravado – we didn’t really listen to people’s advice. It’s that thing of safety and strength in numbers. I don’t think I would have found the confidence to do anything on my own.
Ben found fame in a comedy partnership with Alexander Armstrong (left) (Picture: Shutterstock)
Do you and Rob Brydon get mistaken for each other?
I can’t see it myself but everyone seems to think that we look alike. We get confused for each other a lot and that’s not just the public, I’ve had friends of Rob come up to me, thinking I’m him. That’s really weird!
Would you ever like to take part in Strictly or I’m A Celebrity…?
If I’m doing something I like to think I’ve got a reason to be there. I did All Star Musicals, because I’ve always wanted to sing in a musical, but I don’t like camping and I have no desire to try ballroom dancing. Never say never, but I can’t see the circumstances where I would enjoy it.
Rob Brydon – or is it? (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Where is home?
I live in a hamlet in the Gloucestershire countryside. It’s super rural. There’s no shop and the nearest pub is two miles away. Before that I lived in London, so it’s a huge contrast.
I moved because I wanted to write children’s books. I’d already written short things but books I needed longer periods of boredom. Solitude is the romantic way of describing it but at this time of year in the countryside there’s nothing to do.
More: Sixty Seconds
Why children’s books?
I wrote the first story for my eldest son when he was eight and I’ve just finished my latest book, Secrets Of A Christmas Elf. My youngest children are ten and seven and every day I read them whatever I’ve written that day.
I can be reading and they just get up and walk away. One of the comments I get is that my books have lots of twists and turns. That’s because I’ve got to try to keep my kids listening – something big has to happen on pretty much every other page.
Ben’s just finished his latest book (Picture: Amazon)
What do you enjoy away from work?
I’ve reached the taxi service phase, with three kids going in different directions at the same time. On Saturday I spent all day in the car taking them from one place to another. Otherwise, I watch telly, I play guitar, I like walking. One of the benefits of living in the countryside: you can take your dog for a yomp over sodden fields!
Catch up with Good Morning Britain’s1 Million Minutes campaign weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and pledge at itv.com/1millionminutes
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