MATTHEW FREEMAN
You’ve done many fascinating documentaries in the past, is this event
similar to what you’ve done previously or will it be a new experience
for you?
I have made lots of documentaries, I’m very lucky that I get to do a
variety of programmes that cross all sorts of different topics - from
Bollywood, to the partition of India, to big history programmes, to
Countryfile of course, but this is very different. To do a live tour and
host it in front of thousands of people, the closest I’ve come is I did the
Strictly tour. After I danced on Strictly, I danced on the tour and then the
following year, I had the honour of hosting the tour. That’s the closest I’ve
come to it but even then I don’t think this compares to that, I just think
this is an entity within itself.
During the filming of Blue Planet II, film crews embarked on over
125 expeditions, travelled to 39 countries and spent over 6000 hours
of deep sea diving. Could you see yourself taking part in a similar
expedition?
* laughing * Oh my god, yeah! In my heart, alright, not even in my
heart, I wear it quite openly on my sleeve - I am an adventurer, so any
opportunity to go on an adventure. But that is dedication, isn’t it? 4 years
of your life to make a TV show, I mean, I don’t know if I have that much
patience, but if the product you’re producing is of the quality of Blue
Planet, then it’s worth the investment, isn’t it? It would be amazing to be a
part of a programme like that.
What were your thoughts when you first watched Blue Planet on the
TV? Did you get as hooked as the rest of the nation?
Absolutely. I think I was part of the movement, I think the nation was just
drawn to it. It was the talking point and they do what they did with the
first one, they just opened our eyes to an alien world. It was the talking
point for everybody the next day at work, wasn’t it? “Did you see that
scene? Did you see that?” It’s so much bigger than a TV show, it tells you
something about humanity, it tells you something about our planet. It’s
something that is embedded, it’s not like watching an entertainment show
that is fun and entertaining, watching Blue Planet II hasn’t left me. Those
scenes are with us forever.
Talking of scenes, have you got a particular favourite scene from the
series that stands out and sticks in your memory?
Apart from the Bobbit Worm! * laughing * The Bobbit Worm really does
stick in my memory as it really was so weird. Oh goodness me, what else?
Who doesn’t love seeing dolphins? Spinning dolphins, or even surfing
dolphins. The fact that dolphins surf the waves and they don’t really know
why they do it, they think they do it for fun, and that is just beautiful.
Being involved with Countryfile, are you made more aware of
environmental issues and have you had much experience of seeing the
effects of the issues first hand?
I think working on Countryfile and the important role that Countryfile
has to play is that it connects rural Britain to urban Britain. It’s a rural
affair show, but half of the audience are living in urban areas. I live in a
city, and I love living in London, I think it’s just important to connect the
dots to know where your food comes from, to know that you wanting to
pay not very much for your milk has an impact in what is happening in
our rural communities. In that sense, absolutely Countryfile does draw
our attention to the impact we have on the environment.
Have you been on tour before around arenas?
Yes, Strictly. So I danced on it, then I hosted it one year, so back on the
road again! In my head obviously I’m a rock star that’s been on tour
around the world and back so in my mind, many times! * laughing *
What was the difference between being a participant on an arena show
to then the following year to being the host, which is a lot closer to
what you’re going to be doing this time?
Yeah, completely different. Well, this is my job, so when I danced on the
show, I was dancing and still part of the Strictly tour, but when you’re
hosting, this is the day job - I’m in presenter mode. It’s like being the
conductor of an orchestra in many ways, you kind of have to keep the
attention of the audience, you have to take them on the journey with you
and make sure that they are all experiencing something, the same thing. I
want people to have a really joyful, all encompassing, magical experience,
and of course the orchestra and the visuals are going to provide that, but
my little delicate job of connecting the dots, will hopefully add to the
whole experience.
Does an arena audience differ from studio audiences that you’ve
perhaps had in the past?
Oh yeah, well there are thousands of them! * laughing * Oh my god,
yeah, totally different. It’s weird because live TV is terrifying and I think
this will be also terrifying, but it’s good nerves. I’ll be prepared hopefully
before I step out there.
If you’re saying it’s good nerves, are you looking forward to being in
front of thousands every night?
Can’t wait! I really can’t wait. Rather than being in front of thousands, just
being part of the experience of the Blue Planet II tour. To be part of that
gang, and that team is going to be something I’ll never forget.
Have you got any pre-show rituals that you do before TV that you’ll
continue doing whilst you’re backstage before you go on for the arena
tour?
I don’t know – I always wanted to be sick before going on Strictly but I
don’t think I’ll be doing that! Preparation is key, just making sure I’m
ready to go out there. I do have a little mini Ganesh actually. I’m not
religious but I love religious Hindu iconography and he is the elephant
god, and he’s the remover of obstacles. I bought him when I went
backpacking round India and he’s really cool, so he might come on tour
with me.
The concert takes place on Tuesday 26th March 2019 at The M&S Bank
Arena. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk
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