NIGEL HAVERS
TALKING B*LL*CKS
“BUY NOW BEFORE RIGOR MORTIS SETS IN” Julian Clary
Nigel Havers is delighted to announce that, due to popular demand, he will be setting out to tour the UK in Spring 2026 and will be stopping off at the Palace Theatre for one night only on Monday 16 March 2026
TALKING B*LL*CKS
“BUY NOW BEFORE RIGOR MORTIS SETS IN” Julian Clary
Nigel Havers is delighted to announce that, due to popular demand, he will be setting out to tour the UK in Spring 2026 and will be stopping off at the Palace Theatre for one night only on Monday 16 March 2026
INTERVIEW with Nigel Havers
Nigel Havers, a wonderfully self-deprecating raconteur, tells a marvellous story against himself to explain why he is hitting the road with a brilliant new live show, “Talking B*ll*cks.”
“People had asked me to do this sort of thing before, and I thought, ‘No no, no, I’m far too young’,” says the 73-year-old actor. “Then someone pointed out to me how old I actually was. And so, I thought, ‘Well, I’d better crack on then!’”
Even when he agreed to tour with his dazzling show recounting the myriad ups (and occasional downs) of his career, Nigel admits that he initially suffered some nerves. “It was a bit scary beforehand.
“Everyone said to me, ‘You'll love it.’ And I replied, ‘Will I?’ ‘Yes, you’ll love it because there's no one to stop you. It's just you.’”
Nigel, who makes for highly engaging company, continues, “I do remember years ago, I got a phone call from Dawn French, who is a good friend of mine. It was 7:20pm, and I was just about to go on stage in a play.
“Dawn said, ‘Oh my God, I don't know what I'm doing.’ I asked, ‘What’s the matter with you?’ ‘I'm so nervous. I'm just about to go on for the first night of my one-woman show, and I just don't know why am I putting myself through this.’”
The actor adds, “I said, ‘Dawn, Dawn, relax. It's very simple. You're doing it because you have a huge ego.’ And she said, ‘Oh, my God, that's right. Oh, I feel fine now. Thank you very much.’ And off she went to do the show.
“When I suddenly found myself on stage doing my own one-man show, I said to myself, ‘Why am I doing this show? Oh, it’s because I’ve got a huge ego!’”
Widely adored as a national treasure, Nigel loves performing “Talking B*ll*cks”. The actor, who has played memorable roles in everything from The Charmer to Passage to India to Benidorm and Coronation Street, particularly relishes the fact that he doesn’t have to stick to a script. “Because I haven't got one, I feel very free. I feel great.
"Whereas if you've got a script, you think, ‘Oh my God, what if I forget that bit?’ I don't have any worries about that anymore. I can't dry because I can just go on to another anecdote.”
The captivating show features back-stage gossip, stories of triumph (and disaster), moments of glorious madness, and a healthy dose of talking b*ll*cks. Nigel says, “I’ll be taking you on a thoroughly entertaining trot through five decades in showbiz.
"From my early days as a fresh-faced drama school hopeful, to the highs and lows of a career that’s seen me in everything from Chariots of Fire and Empire of the Sun to Don’t Wait Up and some rather marvellous West End plays – and more than my fair share of Palladium Pantos.”
A born performer, Nigel also really enjoys the bond between himself and the live audience during “Talking B*ll*cks”.
The actor, who can be summed up with one adjective – “charming” – says, “I love that connection with the audience, and the fact that they're completely different every time I do it. There is a crackle of excitement every night because it's live and it's never going to be repeated.”
During several decades of a very distinguished stage career, Nigel has never under-estimated an audience. Universally viewed as the quintessential English gentleman, he says, “When I do a play, I tend to get very bored in rehearsal. Because all I want to do in rehearsal is just work out where I'm going to stand or sit and try to remember the words.
“I only start really learning about the play when the audience come. Then I start thinking, ‘Oh, that doesn't work. Oh, that works really well.’ So rehearsals to me are a pain in the neck. I just want to get on with it.”
The audience, Nigel carries on, are, “A really important part of being in the theatre. Without them, we wouldn't be doing it. It's really good of them to come to the theatre. I have tremendous admiration for the audience.”
Nigel’s show, which begins the next leg of its nationwide tour in Chichester on 16 January 2026, is also terrific value. “It is really good fun. It’s a very enjoyable thing. There are quite a few one-person shows touring now, and it's because the audience seem to go for them, they seem to invest in them.”
Nigel, who has been married for 18 years to Georgiana Bronfman, expands on the content of the show, which has already had audiences up and down the country purring with pleasure. “I do whatever comes into my head - I live up to the name of the show! I just string together a few anecdotes about my career.
“I think people like to know what happens behind the scenes and what goes on in someone's life. And it just seems to fly by.”
What else does Nigel get up to on stage? “I do a bit of magic in the show, which always goes wrong. I love doing magic tricks, but I do them really quite badly!
“I also make the perfect dry martini at the end. I drag my wife on stage to help me hand out the glasses to the audience. But I don't allow her to speak because that would cost me money!”
“People had asked me to do this sort of thing before, and I thought, ‘No no, no, I’m far too young’,” says the 73-year-old actor. “Then someone pointed out to me how old I actually was. And so, I thought, ‘Well, I’d better crack on then!’”
Even when he agreed to tour with his dazzling show recounting the myriad ups (and occasional downs) of his career, Nigel admits that he initially suffered some nerves. “It was a bit scary beforehand.
“Everyone said to me, ‘You'll love it.’ And I replied, ‘Will I?’ ‘Yes, you’ll love it because there's no one to stop you. It's just you.’”
Nigel, who makes for highly engaging company, continues, “I do remember years ago, I got a phone call from Dawn French, who is a good friend of mine. It was 7:20pm, and I was just about to go on stage in a play.
“Dawn said, ‘Oh my God, I don't know what I'm doing.’ I asked, ‘What’s the matter with you?’ ‘I'm so nervous. I'm just about to go on for the first night of my one-woman show, and I just don't know why am I putting myself through this.’”
The actor adds, “I said, ‘Dawn, Dawn, relax. It's very simple. You're doing it because you have a huge ego.’ And she said, ‘Oh, my God, that's right. Oh, I feel fine now. Thank you very much.’ And off she went to do the show.
“When I suddenly found myself on stage doing my own one-man show, I said to myself, ‘Why am I doing this show? Oh, it’s because I’ve got a huge ego!’”
Widely adored as a national treasure, Nigel loves performing “Talking B*ll*cks”. The actor, who has played memorable roles in everything from The Charmer to Passage to India to Benidorm and Coronation Street, particularly relishes the fact that he doesn’t have to stick to a script. “Because I haven't got one, I feel very free. I feel great.
"Whereas if you've got a script, you think, ‘Oh my God, what if I forget that bit?’ I don't have any worries about that anymore. I can't dry because I can just go on to another anecdote.”
The captivating show features back-stage gossip, stories of triumph (and disaster), moments of glorious madness, and a healthy dose of talking b*ll*cks. Nigel says, “I’ll be taking you on a thoroughly entertaining trot through five decades in showbiz.
"From my early days as a fresh-faced drama school hopeful, to the highs and lows of a career that’s seen me in everything from Chariots of Fire and Empire of the Sun to Don’t Wait Up and some rather marvellous West End plays – and more than my fair share of Palladium Pantos.”
A born performer, Nigel also really enjoys the bond between himself and the live audience during “Talking B*ll*cks”.
The actor, who can be summed up with one adjective – “charming” – says, “I love that connection with the audience, and the fact that they're completely different every time I do it. There is a crackle of excitement every night because it's live and it's never going to be repeated.”
During several decades of a very distinguished stage career, Nigel has never under-estimated an audience. Universally viewed as the quintessential English gentleman, he says, “When I do a play, I tend to get very bored in rehearsal. Because all I want to do in rehearsal is just work out where I'm going to stand or sit and try to remember the words.
“I only start really learning about the play when the audience come. Then I start thinking, ‘Oh, that doesn't work. Oh, that works really well.’ So rehearsals to me are a pain in the neck. I just want to get on with it.”
The audience, Nigel carries on, are, “A really important part of being in the theatre. Without them, we wouldn't be doing it. It's really good of them to come to the theatre. I have tremendous admiration for the audience.”
Nigel’s show, which begins the next leg of its nationwide tour in Chichester on 16 January 2026, is also terrific value. “It is really good fun. It’s a very enjoyable thing. There are quite a few one-person shows touring now, and it's because the audience seem to go for them, they seem to invest in them.”
Nigel, who has been married for 18 years to Georgiana Bronfman, expands on the content of the show, which has already had audiences up and down the country purring with pleasure. “I do whatever comes into my head - I live up to the name of the show! I just string together a few anecdotes about my career.
“I think people like to know what happens behind the scenes and what goes on in someone's life. And it just seems to fly by.”
What else does Nigel get up to on stage? “I do a bit of magic in the show, which always goes wrong. I love doing magic tricks, but I do them really quite badly!
“I also make the perfect dry martini at the end. I drag my wife on stage to help me hand out the glasses to the audience. But I don't allow her to speak because that would cost me money!”
In the course of a compelling hour and a half on stage, Nigel also covers such subjects as Chariots of Fire, Passage to India, A Cruel Love: the Ruth Ellis Story, The Charmer, and his enormously successful panto career. I will not ruin it for you by revealing any spoilers!
The only problem is the title. Nigel says, “Whenever I go on any TV or radio show, they tell me, ‘Whatever you do, don’t mention the title of the show.’ ‘What? Talking B-?’ ‘Don’t say that!’”
Nigel considers what audience members might be saying to each other on the way out of the show. “I hate to think! I just hope they don’t say, ‘God, that was a waste of time and money!’
“I just hope that they just have a really good night out and that it's not massively too long. There's nothing worse than a show that goes on and on. One of the great delights of doing a short play is that you can have a dry martini in your dressing room afterwards and then be in the pub by nine!”
Now in his eighth decade, Nigel shows no sign of slowing down. He appeared at the London Palladium in panto again at Christmas and is then presenting his eighth series of the very popular BBC1 auction programme, The Bidding Room.
He has absolutely no intention of retiring. “I've got to the stage in life where I just enjoy doing anything. People ask me, ‘When are you going to retire?’ And I say, ‘Actors don't retire. They get retired when the phone stops ringing. Then you think, ‘Oh, I’ve retired now’.”
Nigel closes by underlining what a fabulous time he has had touring “Talking B*ll*cks.” “I come offstage on a high. I have a dry martini, of course, and then go out to dinner with my missus, which is great. It's a really wonderful evening. And then I'm on to the next town. It's fantastic. I can't think of anything better than doing this show.
“It's more fun than I've ever had!”
And audiences across the country would doubtless agree.
Tickets for “Talking B*ll*cks” are available at https://nigelhavers.live/
Interview: James Rampton
The only problem is the title. Nigel says, “Whenever I go on any TV or radio show, they tell me, ‘Whatever you do, don’t mention the title of the show.’ ‘What? Talking B-?’ ‘Don’t say that!’”
Nigel considers what audience members might be saying to each other on the way out of the show. “I hate to think! I just hope they don’t say, ‘God, that was a waste of time and money!’
“I just hope that they just have a really good night out and that it's not massively too long. There's nothing worse than a show that goes on and on. One of the great delights of doing a short play is that you can have a dry martini in your dressing room afterwards and then be in the pub by nine!”
Now in his eighth decade, Nigel shows no sign of slowing down. He appeared at the London Palladium in panto again at Christmas and is then presenting his eighth series of the very popular BBC1 auction programme, The Bidding Room.
He has absolutely no intention of retiring. “I've got to the stage in life where I just enjoy doing anything. People ask me, ‘When are you going to retire?’ And I say, ‘Actors don't retire. They get retired when the phone stops ringing. Then you think, ‘Oh, I’ve retired now’.”
Nigel closes by underlining what a fabulous time he has had touring “Talking B*ll*cks.” “I come offstage on a high. I have a dry martini, of course, and then go out to dinner with my missus, which is great. It's a really wonderful evening. And then I'm on to the next town. It's fantastic. I can't think of anything better than doing this show.
“It's more fun than I've ever had!”
And audiences across the country would doubtless agree.
Tickets for “Talking B*ll*cks” are available at https://nigelhavers.live/
Interview: James Rampton
“Well, I loved my first tour – and I think the audiences did too - so here we go again!
Join me, a stage, and a lifetime of gloriously ridiculous stories to share with you. You’ll get the full Havers experience: charm, wit, and absolutely no running in slow motion. I’ll be taking you on a thoroughly entertaining trot through five decades in showbiz. From my early days as a fresh-faced drama school hopeful, to the highs and lows of a career that’s seen me in everything from Chariots of Fire and Empire of the Sun to Don’t Wait Up and some rather marvellous West End plays – and more than my fair share of Palladium Pantos.
Of course, there’ll be behind-the-scenes gossip, tales of triumph (and disaster), moments of sheer madness, and a fair bit of talking b*ll*cks. And just when you think you’ve got me figured out, I might surprise you. Let’s just say there’s a taste of my very first acting role and a little showcase of one of my off-stage talents – I’ll leave you guessing.
So, come along for a night of laughter, nostalgia, and, dare I say, charm. It’s going to be a lot of fun – I promise."
Join me, a stage, and a lifetime of gloriously ridiculous stories to share with you. You’ll get the full Havers experience: charm, wit, and absolutely no running in slow motion. I’ll be taking you on a thoroughly entertaining trot through five decades in showbiz. From my early days as a fresh-faced drama school hopeful, to the highs and lows of a career that’s seen me in everything from Chariots of Fire and Empire of the Sun to Don’t Wait Up and some rather marvellous West End plays – and more than my fair share of Palladium Pantos.
Of course, there’ll be behind-the-scenes gossip, tales of triumph (and disaster), moments of sheer madness, and a fair bit of talking b*ll*cks. And just when you think you’ve got me figured out, I might surprise you. Let’s just say there’s a taste of my very first acting role and a little showcase of one of my off-stage talents – I’ll leave you guessing.
So, come along for a night of laughter, nostalgia, and, dare I say, charm. It’s going to be a lot of fun – I promise."
Nigel’s work for The Royal National Theatre includes The Importance of Being Earnest and Harold Pinter’s Family Voices, both directed by Sir Peter Hall. West End appearances include Conduct Unbecoming, Richard II and Man and Superman for the RSC. Nigel played Serge in both the touring and London productions of Art at Wyndham’s Theatre. He has appeared in hugely successful touring productions of Rebecca, Alan Bennett’s Single Spies and Nick Fisher’s comedy Basket Case. His most recent appearance was in Noel Coward’s beloved play Private Lives with Patricia Hodge, again on tour and in the West End.
As one of Britain’s leading television actors, Nigel has starred in many outstanding productions including Upstairs Downstairs, The Glittering Prizes, Pennies from Heaven, Murder Most Horrid with Dawn French, and two seasons of the hit US series Brothers and Sisters. He has played Lewis Archer in Coronation Street, Lord Hepworth in Downton Abbey, and has appeared in Benidorm, Murder On The Blackpool Express and Finding Alice with Joanna Lumley. His most recent appearances have been in All Creatures Great and Small, and The Gentleman. Since 2020 he has presented The Bidding Room.
Nigel’s films include Hugh Hudson’s Chariots of Fire, David Lean’s A Passage to India, Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun and Claude Chabrol’s Quiet Days in Clichy. He also starred with Michael Caine in The Whistle Blower and with Nick Nolte in Farewell to the King.
For the last ten years Nigel has been starring in the hugely popular, sell-out pantomime season at the London Palladium.
Catch Nigel at the Palace Theatre next March. Tickets on sale now.
Venue: Palace Theatre SOUTHEND
Dates: Monday 16 March 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Box Office: 0343 310 0030
As one of Britain’s leading television actors, Nigel has starred in many outstanding productions including Upstairs Downstairs, The Glittering Prizes, Pennies from Heaven, Murder Most Horrid with Dawn French, and two seasons of the hit US series Brothers and Sisters. He has played Lewis Archer in Coronation Street, Lord Hepworth in Downton Abbey, and has appeared in Benidorm, Murder On The Blackpool Express and Finding Alice with Joanna Lumley. His most recent appearances have been in All Creatures Great and Small, and The Gentleman. Since 2020 he has presented The Bidding Room.
Nigel’s films include Hugh Hudson’s Chariots of Fire, David Lean’s A Passage to India, Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun and Claude Chabrol’s Quiet Days in Clichy. He also starred with Michael Caine in The Whistle Blower and with Nick Nolte in Farewell to the King.
For the last ten years Nigel has been starring in the hugely popular, sell-out pantomime season at the London Palladium.
Catch Nigel at the Palace Theatre next March. Tickets on sale now.
Venue: Palace Theatre SOUTHEND
Dates: Monday 16 March 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Box Office: 0343 310 0030
