BBC Life On Mars star Philip Glenister appeared on ITV daytime show This Morning on Monday, May 22, to speak about his latest acting job Steeltown Murders, which is set in Port Talbot. And during his interview he revealed the sweet way he managed to pull off such a brilliant Welsh accent - one which had viewers praising the English actor.
After talking about the plot of the show - read more on that here and the true story behind it here - Philip was praised by This Morning presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary for his Welsh accent after the 60-year-old from Harrow - who is half Welsh - explained how lovely it was to be working in Wales.
He said: "It's the first time, although I'm half Welsh, my mother's Welsh, that I've worked in Wales with a Welsh crew and cast. It was fabulous."
Read more: BBC Ten Pound Poms full cast list: Who stars alongside Michelle Keegan in the drama?
Reflecting on how he perfected a Welsh accent for playing real-life cop DCI Paul Bethell, he revealed his secret weapon - chatting with his mam. He said: "I [spoke] with my mam. I used to spend the weekend with them, you know, and she'd give me an accent lesson."
"It's a beautiful accent," Dermot chimed, with agreement from Philip, who said: "It's great."
Later in the interview, Philip was asked whether fans of Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes would ever see the return of Gene Hunt, his beloved grumpy Detective Inspector character.
"I don't think so," Philip said, disappointing followers of the show around the country. "I''m not sure I'd want... it was such a great show to make and be a part of and obviously it changed all our careers and stuff. But..."
As for whether he'd be in it if it did ever make a comeback - either show - Philip said: "I don't know. Who could they get to play me? We'll see."
This Morning airs on ITV1 weekdays at 10am. Four part drama Steeltown Murders continues on Mondays at 9pm with all episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
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