An interview with The Holby Observer

Reprinted courtesy of The Holby Observer, February 2007

Q. Are you enjoying life at Holby Hospital?

A. It’s great. Every day in the playground is a good day.

Q. Are you anything like your character in real life?

A. Hardly. He is really high octane. Talks fast. Thinks fast. I am much slower and more cautious. Playing him is exhausting!

Q. What has been the fans reaction to Daniel? Do they like him?

A. Don’t know the answer to this—you would know better. What do the online postings say?

Q. Do you get recognised in the street? What is the strangest place you’ve been recognised?

A. On the Metro in Paris. And on the street in Montreal, by a couple of Russians, who spoke no English and assumed I spoke Russian cos they’d seen me do so on their TV (I did a show called “Highlander”, which has a huge following worldwide). No one has come up to me from recognising Dan Clifford yet.

Q. Daniel loves to listen to music whilst operating. What are your tastes in music?

A. Very eclectic. From Yo Yo Ma to Eminem. I use it to change my mood or energise me for scenes.

Q. Before becoming an actor, you trained to be a doctor. Has your medical training come in useful in any situations since then?

A. Well, it’s pretty useful right now! I think it gives me an ease with the terminology, which is helpful on Holby. It lets me relax and not worry if I am saying things right.

Q. Some of the cast from HOLBY CITY, performed a song and dance routine to Madonna’s “Hung Up” for Children In Need last November. Did you enjoy doing that?

A. Yeah, it was a giggle. Especially the party on the night. Loads of stars there.

Q. Do you support any charities?

A. My wife and I set up a charity when our son was born, which has raised over $70,000 in the last few years. You can find details at www.pwfc.org. It is called Project Edan and supports the work UNICEF does with children growing up without parents.

Q. You played a vet in the TV series “Noah’s Ark” alongside Anton Rodgers. Can you recall any funny moments whilst working with the animals?

A. My favourite line from a film set came on that show—“Alright, everyone ready? Roll sound, camera set. And...action Duck!”

Q. You moved to Canada some years back. How does life there compare with over here? Are your family still there or have they relocated with you?

A. My family moved to Los Angeles 18 months ago and that is where we live. I am commuting to Holby! Canada was great. I loved Vancouver and I am a Canadian citizen. But LA is tough to beat. The sun shines, the sky is blue and it has been really easy to settle there, as the people are so nice!

Q. You were once the Welsh National trampoline champion. Are you still sporty now?

A. I still run a LOT. I aim to go out 3 or 4 times a week and do 4 or 5 miles at a time. In LA, I swim most days and snowboard in the winter.

© 2007 The Holby Observer—Do not copy or re-post without written permission.