FEBRUARY 10 2005, SWINDON: Tony Robinson is coming to Swindon next
month ­ but first he's doing some serious chilling out.
In fact he's holed up with his partner, Heli, in Lapland.
Tony said: "We're staying in The Ice Hotel and it was minus 15 last
night. But you do get a fantastic thermal sleeping bag."
There is, however, a degree of discomfort when nature calls.
He said: "I was busting for a wee and had to sprint to the loo. It
was freezing,"
This is Tony's belated Christmas break before he launches into the
tour of his one-man show, The Worst Jobs In History.
The name is taken from his recent TV show, which saw him sample some
pretty unpleasant occupations.

"Working in the sewer was a doddle compared to making leather. That
stank so bad," he said.

Tony, 58, also couldn't stand abseiling over a 200ft cliff in a
Viking costume.
He said: "It was totally terrifying, especially when my shoes fell
off."
But Tony is of course best known for playing Rowan Atkinson's dim-
witted sidekick Baldrick in the TV comedy Blackadder.
He also got the job in amusing circumstances.
"I got the script in the post on Monday and started on Friday. I
thought at last the true profundity of my talent had been
recognised.
"Turns out it was more a case of sheer desperation ­ there was
only a
week until filming and no one wanted to be Baldrick," Tony said.
Although Rowan went on to forge a career in Hollywood, they remain
great friends. Tony said: "It's like catching up with your school
mates.
"Even if we haven't seen each other for ages, we still talk like old
pals."
Although he has had "bit parts" Tony is still waiting for his big
break on the silver screen.
He said: "I've been flown out there a few times and every time
you're treated like the best thing since sliced bread. Then they
seem to suffer amnesia."
As for Swindon, Tony has a love hate relationship with the town.
That's because he's a staunch supporter of Bristol City football
club.
"Years ago I came to watch Bristol play Swindon but tickets had sold
out.
"Fortunately the PR man recognised me and I was whisked up to the
directors' box.
"Unfortunately Swindon thrashed us 5-nil and I can remember the
board smiling at me with glee," he said.
More recently Tony visited the town on an archaeological expedition.
Parts of Groundwell Ridge were excavated for the Big Dig on his Time
Team TV show.
Born in London's east end, his parents weren't in the acting
industry but they helped him break into it.
He said: "Mum was a typist and dad worked in local government. They
saw an ad in the Daily Express asking for cheeky London kids to be
in a new musical."
Tony went along to the auditions and was cast as a member of Fagin's
gang in the first production of Oliver!
But he ended up playing the Artful Dodger because the boy playing
him apparently "bunked off."
Speaking of skiving, Tony played truant at school and skipped
classes for weeks on end.
He said: "No one knew where I was supposed to be because of the
acting. So I just went to the library or shops.
"I was terrified of work."

After failing his O-levels Tony was advised to knuckle down and
study English. But he was too afraid of hard work and decided acting
school would be an easier ride.
He said: "I went to the Central School of Speech and Dream and
thought I was God's gift to acting. But basically I was crap and
they soon took me in hand."
After graduating Tony cut his theatrical teeth performing
Shakespeare and Ibsen. Within five years he won a bursary to direct
in Birmingham and was soon running his own theatre company.
He said: "I was working with the Bristol Old Vic but became
frustrated with theatre which kept attracting the same four per cent
of the population.
"So I set up an alternative company, The Avon Touring Company, and
it lasted 10 years."
Although Tony has always thrown himself into his career, he also
made time for a family.
He had two children Laura, now 25, and Luke, 28, with his ex-wife.
They enjoyed watching him being Baldrick but didn't follow in their
father's footsteps ­ Laura is a political officer and Luke works
in
corporate entertainment.
Tony considers himself extremely lucky, even though he hasn't got
much spare time.
"I can basically press lots of buttons and see which projects come
off. I don't have any set ambitions but still work very hard.
"I think I have this fear of being the laziest person in the
universe," he said.
This year, besides touring, Tony aims to write a novel. He
said: "I've already written 18 books but I have two new ideas, both
are semi-autobiographical."

Tony also wants to shed half a stone ­ he claims: "something
dramatic
happens when you go below my chest."
As for spending his money, Tony has two homes ­ one in London and
another in Bristol and drives a Jaguar XK-R.
And his next holiday will be spent somewhere warm.
He said: "Lapland is astonishingly beautiful but I prefer the heat.
Perhaps we'll try Hawaii."

Tony comes to the Wyvern Theatre on February 10. Tickets cost:
£15.
For bookings call; 01793 524481.