The entertainer claims he wanted to prove himself after being cruelly criticized as a child and recently secured the role of Doc Brown in Back to the Future: The Musical.
He’s one of the best-known faces on British television, having spent three years in EastEnders, taken part in Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celebrity and hosted his own TV comedy series.
But entertainer Brian Conley reveals he had to ‘jump through hoops’ to land a role in Back to the Future: The Musical in London’s West End – because the show’s American producers hadn’t actually heard of him.
Brian, who previously presented his theater productions with the coveted Olivier Award, says: “I had to prove myself to the American producers and directors.
I had to attend three auditions, one for singing and the other for acting. I had to meet them and then I was filmed so that it could be sent to the American producer.
“There are a lot of things riding on it – it’s a huge franchise, it’s on in four continents – so they want to make sure that it’s well looked after.
Because they didn’t know who I am and what I do, I had to jump through hoops. You must present it with a certain level of energy and be able to identify the voice and sound.
The role of Back to the Future’s madcap scientist Doc Brown comes off the back of one of the busiest years of Brian’s life. He recently wrapped up a nationwide tour of The Prat Pack along with fellow TV legends Bradley Walsh, Shane Richie, and Joe Pasquale, and he previously reprised the role of EastEnders’ Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton earlier this year.
Then, once he’s finished on the West End, he immediately moves into rehearsals for the month-long Goldilocks in Milton Keynes pantomime.
Not bad for someone who had planned to take it easy after reaching 64. However, Brian reveals that despite enjoying every second of his job, his hectic schedule has a much deeper meaning.
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For his unwavering work ethic, which stems from his self-aggrandizement after being cruelly criticized as stupid as a child.
He says: “When I was at school I really struggled and people called me lazy and thick. I wasn’t, and I know that’s why I’m shouting out to the world – don’t underestimate me.
You need something that has inspired you, as you said, “because I was bullied at school, and that’s what drives you.”
“I’m dyslexic, and I’m accepting it now.” I write phonetically and I read a bit slower than anyone else, but I’ve proved myself.
It might take me a little while to learn something, but it really penetrates my soul. I have a list of shows I’ve watched years ago. So, I suppose in a way in my head I’m going: ‘ I’m not stupid, look what you’ve done, Brian. ‘”
Born in London, Brian, a young actor, started his adult career by playing the warm-up role for TV stars like Kenny Everett, Terry Wogan, and Noel Edmonds.
In the 1980s and 1990s, he appeared in five different TV comedy shows, starred in The Grimleys as Doug “Diddy,” and then signed with EastEnders in 2021.
He has appeared in a number of popular West Ends shows, including Hairspray, 9-5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Jolson, which earned him the Olivier Award for Best Musical Actor. He is also a talented singer, with five albums to his name.
However, he needed hypnosis from a psychiatrist to overcome the rejection and mockery he faced as a child, despite his enormous success.
He recalls: “I went to hypnotherapy and they took me back to school. When I was seven, the teacher told every child to read a book from it when I was seven.
I was aware that there was no way I could read it because it was getting closer to me. I was sweating and everyone was laughing.
I spent an entire hour hypnotizing myself. Just put your hands on that little kid’s shoulders and say what you want, he (the psychiatrist) said. And that was it, it all came rushing out and I burst into tears.
“But it was amazing, it erased the slate.” I had the opportunity to address it and move on.
If that teacher is around today, he will see Brian wowing audiences in the iconic role of Emmett Brown in Back to the Future The Musical.
Based on the popular 1985 movie with Michael J. It is a time-traveling DeLorean car built by the eccentric scientist and based on the life of Marty McFly.
” I’ve always been a fan of the movie and it’s a lovely role, “Brian smiles”. I can sing, the DeLorean is full of great props, it has great props, and I can sit in it all night! I jumped at it.
Brian, who lives in Buckinghamshire with Anne-Marie, his wife of 29 years, and the couple’s two daughters Amy, 28 and Lucy, 24, has won countless awards in his 52-year career. However, he was questioned about what he thought was his biggest accomplishment, which, surprise, had nothing to do with the glitz and glamour of his showbusiness days.
He simply says, “My biggest accomplishment is that I haven’t had a drink in 21 years.” When my father died, I started to suffer panic attacks. I saw a psychiatrist, who told me to stop drinking booze if I really wanted to feel better.
“I drank too much,” I said. Anyone who’s given up drink has had a slight issue with it. When my father passed away, I was meditating on my own. In the evenings, I would drink, believing it to be more restful.
” I said: ‘ Well, I’m going to Antigua on holiday and it’s all-inclusive, so when I come back, I’ll really focus on this drinking thing. ‘
He said, “Well, won’t there always be a holiday, a weekend away, or a birthday party?”
So I quit, and it has genuinely helped me out with everything else I’ve ever done. My head is clear and I can focus and concentrate. “
The four friends, who are all in their 60s, have known each other for more than 40 years, and Brian is reportedly planning a new tour with The Prat Pack in 2026.
We’ve always planned it, and we’ve known what it’s called, according to Brian. It was an absolute scream. particularly on the tour bus. A six-seater van with a table was what we had. Just travelling around together was hilarious.
It was “one of the highlights of his entire career,” Bradley said, and I thought it was. Never did I anticipate hearing those laughs again.
” All we did was take the mick out of each other and how old we all are and whether the audience were only there because they wanted to see us before we died! “
Of course, tour buses are notorious for their wild sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Was there a hint of that with the Prat Pack bus?
God no, “Brian laughs,” All we did was talk about our ailments and what tablets we were on. But it was a wonderful way to really connect with each other. Our souls were benefiting from it.
As for any thought of slowing down or retiring, Brian insists he hasn’t even considered it”. He states that it is a vocation.
I’m going on vacation in a hotel in a country where no one knows me, which is a big joke with my family. If there’s a little band in the bar and they’re playing a song that’s in my key I will get up.
“I’ll do a little while, but maybe there are only a dozen people watching.” It’s not a case of bigotry and “look at me,” it’s just that. It’s just in me. Everyone should have a good time, just as I do.
Source: Mirror
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