It's terribly interesting because quite often I can't bear the sight of the people around me, so it's quite helpful, and other times it's quite difficult because it makes you realise how important your eyes are for decoding what other people are saying. It isn't always a tone of voice when people are talking to you, but seeing a twinkle in an eye, or a wink or whatever.

Did you do any practising at home?

No, I don't need to do any practising at home because in the next scene my eyes will be made up horrifically, and then, I will be blind so I won't be able to move very well, but one closes one's eyes.

Are there any special techniques to playing blind?

I was trying to remember the way David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, who is blind, doesn't always look straight at the source of a sound. It's interesting that, the way he moves his head slightly, and so I copied that. That's all I did, and a bit of practice with my stick, and I did try to learn the geography of the set.

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Father Bernard Could you describe your character?
Playing the part What's it like playing a blind man?
Practise makes perfect Did you do any practising at home?
Playing blind Did you use any special techniques?
Habit forming How does it feel to be playing a monk?
Keeping the faith Which vows would you find it hard to keep?
Tailor made Playing a part especially created for him.
Future plans Any more Randall and Hopkirk or Strange?
All-weather acting How has the filming been?
Regret nothing What's the biggest rejection you've had?
Feel the fear In real life, what's your greatest fear?
Final say Do you ever practice your final last words?
Time Lord advice Any advice for Richard Coyle?