I have a beautiful signed/framed picture of the Hollywood actress GLORIA SWANSON. Bought for me by a very
special person in my life at the time. I love it.
Do you suffer from Stage Fright?
Not actual Stage Fright when I am out there, but before every performance I get butterflies! I always want to give my best out there and nothing else will do! Once I walk on stage something else takes over and I feel in control. If I ever lost that feeling, I would give up!!
If you were to record a cover version- what would it be?
I would find it very hard to choose one song. At the moment I am beginning to choose songs for my first CD that I am going to be starting work on later in the year.
What is your ultimate ambition?
Ultimately, I would love to work in New York on Broadway.
Favourite Actress? Favourite Actor?
Actress : Dame Judi Dench
Actor : Richard Burton
Favourite Show? Favourite Film? Favourite TV Show?
'Musical Theatre Is My Life!' I love so many musicals for different reasons. A big favourite of mine is the composer STEPHEN SONDHEIM, I love his work.
Favourite Film has to be ANOTHER COUNTRY with Rupert Everett.
Favourite TV Show at the moment is SEX AND THE CITY.
Has anybody who has been to see you in a show ever been rude to you?
Only once! When we took CINDERELLA to Dartford, a rather stuck up Friend of the Theatre woman said that she didn't like my costumes! She then proceeded to ask me if she could have a picture taken with me! This is the only recollection that I have, people are generally very positive about my work - THANK GOD!!!
Is Simon Bashford your real name or a Stage name?
It is my real name. When I joined Equity in the 80's, I thought about calling myself SIMON FORD, but there was already a member with the same or similar name.mila
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on or off stage?
I was doing a concert in my home city of Lichfield. I had just finished a gruelling tour of a musical and was full of cold. I walked on stage and during my opening set, I caught my lip on a sharp bit of metal on the edge of the microphone! My lip gushed with blood! I kept mopping it and did my whole spot! PHANTOM OF THE OPERA MOVE OVER!!!
Do you have any regrets in life?
None. I mean this truthfully. I have been very lucky in my life and anything else is a bonus.
Do you have a motto or philosophy that you try to live your life by?
'There are no such things as problems, only solutions' - passed on to me by my Dad also,
'It costs nothing to be nice' and 'Nothing but the best is good enough'.
Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?
Liza Minelli or her Mom! But the later would be impossible!!!!
Who Inspires you?
Talented people. A very good friend of mine has a great expression - I am 'turned on by talent!' In the truest sense of the word I mean, not sexually!!!!
If you could work with one person who you have not worked with previously, who would it be?
Tommy Steele. I have come close on a couple of occasions, but not actually worked with him. I did work with his lovely daughter Emma though and met Tommy on several occasions.
Tommy was my idol as a boy growing up in Staffordshire. He was doing everything as a performer that I longed to do.
I have been compared to him on many occasions. One critic wrote of me 'Simon Bashford, an all rounder, in the Tommy Steele mould' - praise indeed!