Former Holby City and Tinsel Town actor David Paisley stars in new British horror film, Unhappy Birthday, which is released on 24th October.
Inspired by cult classics like The Wicker Man and Hammer House of Horror, the “refreshingly queer” film has “a playfully retro vibe, a healthy irreverence and a deliciously deviant heart” and sees a surprise birthday party become a living nightmare for a city-dwelling couple and their gay friend.
We caught up with David to find out what he likes to watch to relax between filming…
Favourite TV show to cheer you up:
“I find Miranda really comforting to watch. There’s something about her gawky charm and old school British comedy vibe that I find really reassuring, like a mug of Ovaltine. It’s also very funny which helps a lot.”
TV show that reminds you of your childhood:
“I would get my mediocre pocket money on a Tuesday and blow it all in one go on boiled sweets from the village shop, Soor Plooms, rhubarb and custard, sherbet lemons then eat them all from their little paper pokes while watching the Ewoks cartoon and The Raccoons, slowly getting high on sugar and e-numbers. Happy days!”
TV show that reminds you of being a teenager:
“I think everyone of my generation was quite into This Life. It was on during my final year at school and the set up of a group of young people, just out of uni sharing a flat together, seemed to speak of all the promise that early adulthood appeared to hold. It was pretty groundbreaking in its storytelling and mix of characters and felt like it defined a particular point for that generation in the mid to late ’90s.”
Favourite “guilty pleasure” TV show:
“I am a bit obsessed by True Blood. I’ve got all of Season 4 to watch next and I’m a bit unnaturally excited about it – I hear there are witches this season! Can’t wait.”
Axed TV show that you most wish would return:
“I’d very much like The Bill to come back, not because I really watched it all that often but because I always wanted to be on it. I had a plan to try and be on all of my Gran’s favourite programmes and I think I had been doing quite well until they cancelled it. Still to get a shot at Corrie though then I’m pretty much done!”