Jimmy Nail - Interview Exclusive

JIMMY NAIL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW.

The Official Auf Wiedersehen Pet Fan Site is incredibly honoured to have touched base with legendary Jimmy Nail AKA Leonard Jeffrey ‘Oz’ Osborne to bring fans a never before exclusive three-part Q&A! Having had little experience in the acting world in 1982, Jimmy attended an open casting session in Newcastle upon Tyne as an ‘extra’ in a new television series to be made by Central Television. His somewhat unconventional interview would ultimately catapult him to overnight stardom. On 11th November 1983, the first of thirteen episodes of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet was aired and Jimmy Nail was to become a household name. For the first time in 22 years, Jimmy tells us about his time on and off set. Over the coming months, we’ll share his answers to your questions received via the Official fansite and social media platforms. Copyright: Jimmy Nail 2021. This article is not to be reproduced without consent.

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Auf Wiedersehen, Pet 1983 - 2021

Three-part exclusive, we find out how he felt when first setting foot on the ‘BECO Building Site’ film set as a novice actor with a leading role that would soon make him an instant household name. We ask Jimmy what, if anything, he would change about his performance throughout Series 1 and 2 as a ‘young Oz’ and how on earth he sustained that substantial bruise as seen during the opening scenes of series, 1 episode 11, ‘The Lovers’. We spoke of his recollection of his characters first encounter with Big Baz (AKA John Strachan / Ying Tong John) in episode 2, ‘Return of the Seven Pt 2’ when one aggressive head-butt knocks Baz clean to the floor with such conviction fans are left feeling his pain.

In part 2 of our exclusive we ask whether there was any discussion amongst cast and crew of a third series following the enormous success of the second series despite power struggles, internal politics, press intrusions and of course the untimely passing of Gary Holton AKA Wayne Norris. We dig deeper and discover not one, but three of Jimmy’s personal favourite exchanges of AWP dialogue and, following 38 timeless episodes across 4 series plus a two-part special we find out which was his favourite episode and why. We discuss the fascinating origin of one stand-out hilarious scenes in Series 2, Episode 3, ‘A Law for the Rich’, when a disgruntled Oz is quick to terminate Arthur ‘Tiger’ Pringle’s jukebox in the ‘Barley Mow’ with one sharp kick with his hobnailed boot when ‘Aga-bloody-doo’ by Black Lace plays out to the bewilderment of all.

In this, the third and final part of our exclusive interview, we saved the best until last! During these incredibly difficult and challenging times, Jimmy offers a little advice to those wishing to follow in his footsteps in performing arts. We discover one of Jimmy’s fondest Auf Wiedersehen, Pet memories off screen and learn of not one, but three pieces of AWP trivia fans couldn’t possibly know! We also discuss fans fascination with filming locations and discover his favourite filming location and why. We touch upon his passion for the north east and ask how it feels to have played a part placing Newcastle, its people and its unique dialect, firmly on the map. And, we ask Jimmy to share one of his memories working with his dear friend and colleague, the late great Pat Roach, AKA Brian ‘Bomber’ Busbridge.

JIMMY NAIL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW.

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet 1983 -2021

In the first of our three-part exclusive, we find out how he felt when first setting foot on the ‘BECO Building Site’ film set as a novice actor with a leading role that would soon make him an instant household name. We ask Jimmy what, if anything, he would change about his performance throughout Series 1 and 2 as a ‘young Oz’ and how on earth he sustained that substantial bruise as seen during the opening scenes of series, 1 episode 11, ‘The Lovers’. We spoke of his recollection of his characters first encounter with Big Baz (AKA John Strachan / Ying Tong John) in episode 2, ‘Return of the Seven Pt 2’ when one aggressive head-butt knocks Baz clean to the floor with such conviction fans are left feeling his pain.

In part 2 of our exclusive we ask whether there was any discussion amongst cast and crew of a third series following the enormous success of the second series despite power struggles, internal politics, press intrusions and of course the untimely passing of Gary Holton AKA Wayne Norris. We dig deeper and discover not one, but three of Jimmy’s personal favourite exchanges of AWP dialogue and, following 38 timeless episodes across 4 series plus a two-part special we find out which was his favourite episode and why. We discuss the fascinating origin of one stand-out hilarious scenes in Series 2, Episode 3, ‘A Law for the Rich’, when a disgruntled Oz is quick to terminate Arthur ‘Tiger’ Pringle’s jukebox in the ‘Barley Mow’ with one sharp kick with his hobnailed boot when ‘Aga-bloody- doo’ by Black Lace plays out to the bewilderment of all.