Character: Frank Watson
Actor: Hugh Lloyd
Episode: Eagle Day

Hugh Lloyd admits he's nostalgic about his teenage years in the war.

"I was involved in the army as an ARP messenger between 1939 and 1940. We had to go to the ARP post where the wardens were and take any messages to the town hall. I was about 16 and it was very much my formative years. I look back at that time nostalgically because there was a great spirit of unity, which you don't get in peace time."

Hugh plays local defence volunteer Frank Watson, who offers his help to Foyle after a man is found murdered.

"Frank is intensely patriotic. He's hard of hearing and can't fight again, which is sad, but he does want to do something. He wears his army uniform from the First World War with the plimsoles and cap. It's his way of joining the war effort and I thought it was funny and rather lovely.

"I enjoyed the script, especially as there is no violence or bad language in my scenes. I did stop working for a bit, because I don't want to take parts of a violent nature.

"Another appeal was the fact that Foyle's War is filmed in Hastings. I live nearby in Worthing so thought that would be good. Then the location was transferred to Willesden Junction!"

Hugh has recently published his autobiography. "It's called Thank God for a Funny Face and I wrote it with my wife Sian Lloyd. We've been together for 24 years."


September 2002; Publicity Release