Two Pints: Meet new character Billy
Post categories: Comedy,ÌýTwo Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
| 11:20 UK time, Thursday, 28 April 2011
Hello I'm Collette. You may not recognise my name but chances are you've heard my voice; I'm the female one you hear announcing programmes on the telly.
Here at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three we're pretty excited that Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is back, especially as there are two new characters propping up the bar at The Archers pub. There's Tim's volatile sister Cassie, played by Georgia Henshaw, and Gaz' metrosexual carer Billy, played by Freddie Hogan.
I was eager to talk to Freddie, not only to find out what it's like to join a show in its ninth series, but because (and I'll be honest with you here) I have a thing for the scouse accent. I think it stems from a teenage crush I had on Liverpool footballer - don't ask who! Anyway, I decided not to tell Freddie my weird secret as I thought it might freak him out, instead I began by asking him where he was when he found out he had got the part of Billy...
I got the call from my agent when I was with my girlfriend in Germany, just before Christmas. It was really great news, my first proper TV role, amazing really.
What do you make of Billy?
Ah! Billy's nice and charming, some people would say he's dopey and silly and a few sandwiches short of a picnic - but he's genuinely just a lovely guy - he's got a big heart on him.
What about his relationship with Gaz?
Billy's younger than Gaz so he looks up to him. He wants to be mates with him, part of his inner circle.
What was your first day on set like?
We were up in Runcorn doing the outside scenes. My first shot was on the canal on a tug boat! It was exciting, as you can imagine, it was just loads of fun. My first real experience of television and the crew were great. There's a great sense of togetherness on set. They were really exciting times.
Did Two Pints legends Natalie Cassey and Will Mellor offer any advice?
They were just reassuring, but no actual advice. Just believe in your own ability and enjoy it - that's why you're here! That's the main thing - just enjoy it.
Any gossip or embarrassing stories from on-set?
You want me to spill the beans!? The outtakes are full of us forgetting lines, or getting words wrong. Although I think I was the first person to get a line wrong, I called Will by his real name instead of Gaz - Natalie started clapping, and I was like 'oh no I've messed up', but it was fine. The thing is I'm used to theatre, you do it once and once only, you've got to get it right first time. So it's nice in TV that you don't have that pressure, you can do it again.
After downing two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, are you most likely to
After two pints the party moves on...on to another club or pub...
You can watch Freddie star as Billy in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps at 10.30pm Tuesdays.
And you can hear Collette announcing programmes on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three. Except when it's a bloke, then that's Gavin.
Here at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three we're pretty excited that Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is back, especially as there are two new characters propping up the bar at The Archers pub. There's Tim's volatile sister Cassie, played by Georgia Henshaw, and Gaz' metrosexual carer Billy, played by Freddie Hogan.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
I was eager to talk to Freddie, not only to find out what it's like to join a show in its ninth series, but because (and I'll be honest with you here) I have a thing for the scouse accent. I think it stems from a teenage crush I had on Liverpool footballer - don't ask who! Anyway, I decided not to tell Freddie my weird secret as I thought it might freak him out, instead I began by asking him where he was when he found out he had got the part of Billy...
I got the call from my agent when I was with my girlfriend in Germany, just before Christmas. It was really great news, my first proper TV role, amazing really.
What do you make of Billy?
Ah! Billy's nice and charming, some people would say he's dopey and silly and a few sandwiches short of a picnic - but he's genuinely just a lovely guy - he's got a big heart on him.
What about his relationship with Gaz?
Billy's younger than Gaz so he looks up to him. He wants to be mates with him, part of his inner circle.
What was your first day on set like?
We were up in Runcorn doing the outside scenes. My first shot was on the canal on a tug boat! It was exciting, as you can imagine, it was just loads of fun. My first real experience of television and the crew were great. There's a great sense of togetherness on set. They were really exciting times.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Did Two Pints legends Natalie Cassey and Will Mellor offer any advice?
They were just reassuring, but no actual advice. Just believe in your own ability and enjoy it - that's why you're here! That's the main thing - just enjoy it.
Any gossip or embarrassing stories from on-set?
You want me to spill the beans!? The outtakes are full of us forgetting lines, or getting words wrong. Although I think I was the first person to get a line wrong, I called Will by his real name instead of Gaz - Natalie started clapping, and I was like 'oh no I've messed up', but it was fine. The thing is I'm used to theatre, you do it once and once only, you've got to get it right first time. So it's nice in TV that you don't have that pressure, you can do it again.
Freddie Hogan as Billie
- order another round
- move on to a club for a cocktail
- or fall asleep?
After two pints the party moves on...on to another club or pub...
You can watch Freddie star as Billy in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps at 10.30pm Tuesdays.
And you can hear Collette announcing programmes on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three. Except when it's a bloke, then that's Gavin.
- Watch more behind-the-scenes videos on the Two Pints website
- Nat and Luke answer your questions about the show
