Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks actor Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Vino, feminae et Carmen.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“Ask, believe, receive”.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

I find the fact that we make celebrities of people in reality TV shows unspeakably depressing.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I miss my father who died a few years ago.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

If I had a choice between being wealthy and alone or poor and in love, I’d definitely choose the latter. Preferably someone like Mila Kunis if you can arrange it.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

I think a lot of people and companies made mistakes driven by greed and no one seemed to learn from historical mistakes. I’m not against big bonuses if they reward success. I believe in a meritocracy.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“We are experiencing high call volumes (today, yesterday and every other day you’ve called). Your call is important to us (so important that we have 2 non English speaking people working to answer 5000 calls a day). Please Hold (whilst you are charged 50p per minute so that when we answer we can tell you that what you want us to do is not possible”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Over the years I’ve performed at a lot of charity events and helped them raise money in all sorts of ways. On a personal level, I think the British Heart Foundation is a great charity and I have a soft spot for WWF. But aside from wrestling, that wildlife charity is good too.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

They’re a blessing and a curse. I use mine to run my whole life. It practically brushes my teeth for me. But when I lose it or it breaks I feel completely helpless. Sad really.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Ricky Gervais, Stephen Fry, Anthony Hopkins, Christian Bale and Jennifer Aniston. A few drinks, a few laughs and then perhaps make love. Not all together. There isn’t room in that bar.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

I have a feeling they’d make me have it in prison but if they were foolish enough to allow me to have it in, let’s say, The Fat Duck, I’d do that and then have a couple of pints in a pub in Bray, chill out for a few hours and then, well, go home and relax. Phew that was close.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

I never really drink before 6pm unless there is a plan to start early. In which case, I can be persuaded.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A vodka martini with Grey Goose and a twist. That gets things started nicely.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

There is a yearly polo party that Audi put on for about 200 people that is the best of the year. Talented, interesting guests from the world of sport, acting and music, lots of champagne, cocktails, amazing food. It turns into one big house party in a field.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My old boss, Nigel Evans MP. He’s a lovely chap.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Pickled eggs.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

“Get it Here”.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Range Rover Evoque. A fusion of classic and contemporary, urban and rural.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I wanted to be in the army. Now I prance around treading the boards.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

My Classical Brit is wedged between my two degree certificates: a woeful 2:2 MA in Art History from St Andrews and my MA in Acting for Screen from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Jules Knight is an actor and former member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007. He appears in BBC1’s Holby City from 14^th May 2013 as Dr Harry Tressler.

Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/MrJulesKnight