James Alexandrou

The former EastEnders star answer your questions

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

What’s your dream come true?

Performing at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. [James is in Globe Education's production of Romeo And Juliet until 13 March 2009.]

As an actor, there’s a list of 10 venues in the world that you’d want to be and the Globe is one of them. I never thought I would be here and now I am and I feel quite blessed.

Did you find it difficult to adapt to Shakespeare?

I think EastEnders gave me a good grounding in learning lines. It’s good training in soaps because it is so quick. But because Shakespeare is Shakespeare and there’s a certain rhythm, they seem to be going in quite easily.

Will you go back to TV after this?

After leaving EastEnders I made a conscious effort not to do any telly because the sort of things that were coming in wasn’t what I really wanted. I wanted to do theatre and try to challenge myself. I feel like I’ve gotten over a little hump now and I now I think I can go back. We’ll see…

Would you ever go back to EastEnders?

I’ve done it and I loved it and it was my life for so long and I just feel like I’ve flown the nest now.

Is there anything you miss about EastEnders?

The people. The family there. Going into work every day and seeing everyone that I know and love and it’s the nearest thing to working in an office as an actor really because it’s 12 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Are you still close to your co-stars from those days?

Yeah, very close! Natalie Cassidy and I have a phone conversation every week and then we see each other as much as that, too. Recently, we’ve seen each other quite a bit.

Why have you two stayed so close?

I grew up with her. She’s like a sister. She’s like a family member. You don’t have to see each other every week. If you’ve been away from each other or not seen each other for a couple of months and see each other it’s as if we’ve not been apart. That’s what it’s like with Natalie.

You must have been devastated when Wendy Richard died. Was she like a second mum to you?

Uh, Yeah (wells up with tears).

How are you coping?

Coping so far.

How will you remember her?

That’s a big question and one I’m not really capable of answering. I don’t really know what to say about it. It’s too recent for me to put into words. The only thing I would say is that Wendy was a consummate professional and that’s what she instilled in me and she wouldn’t want me to miss rehearsing or work for anything. So I’m here and I’m doing it for her!

Do you still get a lot of attention from your EastEnders fans when you’re out and about?

Yeah, but I don’t really take much notice. The nice thing is I’m not in storylines which change from week to week. Now it seems people are quite nostalgic about the part.

You grew up on telly, do you remember a time when you weren’t famous?

Yeah, I suppose so. I remember a time when I was really young and then, 'Wow, everyone knows my face' and it was a bit weird.

What’s the best thing about being famous?

It doesn’t really affect my life to be honest. I don’t utilise it. I probably did, once upon a time when I was young and silly, but now I just go home, I see my friends, I see my family and I come to work and that’s it. No one seems to be that interested in my crazy life, because there isn’t one really.

Are you good pals with Amy Winehouse?

I wouldn’t say friends. Acquaintances. We just met through a mutual friend. I’ve met her a handful of times and she’s a lovely person.

Do you see yourself trying your luck in Hollywood one day?

(Laughs) It’s silly. It’s like a frivolous thing. It’s a dream. Like the Globe, I didn’t think this would ever happen and then I got a phone call. I thought I was never going to get it and then it happened. If something were to arise, then why not? Like I said, I’m just taking life as it comes.

How do you like to unwind?

At the moment I’m reading Romeo And Juliet.

Are you single at the moment?

Yeah, I think so. It’s not complicated, I just don’t know yet. I don’t know if she’s lucky. She’s probably very unlucky.

Olivier Bishop

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