Richard Wilson reveals how Les Dawson was considered for Victor Meldrew role
ACTOR Richard Wilson just could not believe it when the BBC considered glum comedian Les Dawson for the part of Victor Meldrew.
Les Dawson was almost cast as Victor Meldrew in One Foot in The Grave
The portly Lancashire comedian was in the frame for the part after Greenock-born actor, then in his early 50s, originally turned it down, regarding himself too young to play the famous One Foot in the Grave grump at 60.
But Wilson finally changed his mind when the sitcom's producer director Susan Belbin relentlessly persuaded him to take on the career-defining role that almost went to a rival comic.
Having just turned 80, Wilson tells Radio Times: "Les was a very funny man but I don't know if he could have played Victor.
Les was a very funny man but I don't know if he could have played Victor
"It was after Susan sent me another couple of scripts and I saw what was happening much more clearly, so I went in to see them and that was it.."
Though killed off in the final episode of the BBC1 show back in 2000, Wilson will revive Victor at the Edinburgh Fringe in writer David Renwick's script for a 1993 episode called The Trial.
Richard Wilson eventually clinched the iconic role of the grumpy Victor Meldrew
Les Dawson - Unforgettable and Mother in law
The full interview appears in this week's Radio Times
Written as a solo piece for Victor, the plot revolves around him waiting in the house, on a rainy day, on call for jury duty.
The half-hour play - during which he will be heard more than once uttering the now famous exclamation "I don't believe it!" - will be followed by a half-hour of Q&A between actor and audience.