Two Pints: Meet new character Billy

Collette Collins Collette Collins — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:20:44 +0000

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 BBC 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.

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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.

Freddie Hogan as Billie

After downing two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, are you most likely to

order another round

move on to a club for a cocktail

or fall asleep?

(Not that I'm suggesting you're a lightweight)
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 BBC Three. Except when it's a bloke, then that's Gavin.

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Two Pints: Meet new character Billy