Sir Tony Robinson says ‘Blackadder’ has a “special place” in his “heart”.
Sir Tony Robinson loves Blackadder as it gears up for a 40 year celebration
The ex ‘Time Team’ star - who played Rowan Atkinson’s titular character’s hapless henchman Baldrick in the Richard Curtis and Ben Elton-created BBC series - is “delighted” to be contributing to a commemorative documentary to mark 40 years since its debut in 1983 on alongside some “the biggest names in comedy”, which will come in June.
The 76-year-old actor said: “‘Blackadder’ holds a special place in the nation’s heart and in mine too.
“I’m delighted to be part of its 40th birthday celebrations on Gold. It’s been wonderful to journey back to where it all began and chat to some of the biggest names in comedy who made it all happen.”
Tony teased the celebration earlier this month after the success of they revived the show for a special Comic Relief reunion.
He told Christine Lampard on the ITV daytime show, ‘Lorraine’: “All I’m gonna say is…everybody likes to celebrate a 40th anniversary, so there must be some fresh way we can celebrate our 40th birthday, wouldn’t you think?”
The ‘Walking Through History’ star confirmed the rumours that Prince William was “such a fan” of the historical comedy.
Tony said: “This is absolutely true. You know how showbiz people make up stories? This is really true.
“When I was being knighted by Prince William, almost 10 years ago, I was down on my knees, he brings the old sword down and he said: “I am such a fan of Blackadder” and I said to him: ‘Would you be on it?’
“He said: “Yeah, if you asked me”. So in other words, I was casting whilst I was knighting!”
Tony gushed that he will never tire of talking about the show because it “transformed” his career.
He said: “It’s lovely really, it never palls because it just transformed my life.
“I was 38 by the time I did it but I was a child actor so I had been about a quarter of a century in the business when suddenly my whole life was transformed by the generosity of Rowan [Atkinson] and the producer John Lloyd, who let me have all those little extra shots and lines.”
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