W INTERVIEW
L
AN INTERVIEW WITH
TED ROBBINS
You could say performing runs in the family for Ted
Robbins. He’s Paul and Mike McCartneys second cousin,
his sister is the actress and impersonator Kate Robbins
and his niece is Emily Atack who came second to Harry
Redknapp in last year’s I’m a Celebrity. He has appeared
in scores of TV favourites like Brookside, Little Britain
and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps but is
probably most well-known on TV as ‘Den Perry’ – the
man who burned down the Phoenix club in Peter Kay’s hit
show, Phoenix Nights.
Born in Liverpool, Ted spent many of his formative years
living in Wirral and we caught up with him in between
panto shows to find out more about him.
You’ve got a bit of a famous family going on?
Yeah, my Mum’s mum was a McCartney and my Great Uncle
is Paul and Mike’s Dad. Mike’s a big Wirral man. In fact, we
had a charity do at the British Legion the other week and I
got up with the Chip Shop Boys and Mike got up with us
and did a full rendition of Lily the Pink… he remembered
every word!
I grew up with Paul, I remember me and Kate being kids in
Abbey Road and the Beatles being there, it was about 1969,
they were playing songs. It was Easter time and I remember
John Lennon giving us a chocolate rabbit. We used to
regularly see them, it’s crazy thinking back now it seems
stunning that we were there.
Where did you grow up?
We lived in Higher Bebington opposite the Travellers Rest –
or maybe more in the Travellers Rest! I was born in Liverpool
and then we moved all round the world but when I was 10,
we came and settled in Wirral. I’ve got my four sisters Kate,
Jane, Emma and Amy and they all went to Wirral Grammar
and we all grew up there. I played rugby for Wirral Rugby
Club for many years and I’m still the Vice President there,
I come and see them as often as I can. It’s a wonderful part
of the world and I really do think of myself as a Wirralian.
You’re a close family, aren’t you?
Oh yes there’s a right gang of us and when we were kids there
was always a family party going on. I get quite emotional
thinking about it all sometimes, but it really was. There was
always a pan of scouse on and it was an open house. It was
just such a warm feeling.
Emily Atack, my niece, is Kate’s daughter and there’s only
about three days between her and my son Jack. She’s doing
so well. We’re all on this WhatsApp group – in fact it was
funny, last year when I was in panto, I was staying in the
same place – which is a Travelodge right opposite the theatre
- and they are fantastic. Well the WhatsApp was going crazy
because the family had all arrived at the 7-star Versace hotel
in Australia where they all stay when they’re in the jungle
and I messaged them from the Travelodge! We’re all so
proud of her, she’s doing so well, and it’s been great seeing
her present Extra Camp this year.
You nearly weren’t here to joke about it though were you
after you famously collapsed with a cardiac arrest on stage
at the Manchester Arena?
Wow yes, it’s nearly five years ago now. We were doing the
Phoenix Nights Tour for Comic Relief, and I was saved by
Gary, a man who was in the audience. My heart just stopped,
and he jumped into action and saved my life. He’s an ex-army
paramedic but thank god for Gary who was there to break
all my ribs and bring me back, because I was out of it for 15
minutes while they worked on me. I’m just so glad he was there.
There was also a cardiac surgeon in the audience so if you’re
going to have one of these things, then in front of thousands of
people is the best place to have it!
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