Top 33 Alexander Armstrong Quotes

Someone put us onto ‘Nashville’ which we loved. To start with anyway. It was trash but proper trash if you know what I mean.

There was a period in the Nineties when the BBC wanted to act as if it was a trendy Soho independent. They broke up all sorts of things and got people to work as freelancers who had previously been BBC employees. It corroded a sort of esprit de corps, I think.

Durham is the most beautiful place. Whenever I’m on a train going north I have to stand, nose pressed to the window, as we pass Durham. I don’t think there’s a better view in the world.

I’m staggered when I look back at how, when I got to Cambridge, I didn’t know anything of the world.

The problem is you have people who are keenly aware of what their time span is. Governments work towards the next election; BBC governors work for their time there. You have extraordinary regimes that run at the BBC and different people have different outlooks.

I was quite an odd child. We grew up in the middle of nowhere in Northumberland – it was lovely, idyllic, but we had remarkably little contact with other people.

It makes me cross that no one takes great pride in doing a good job. It’s so rare to find someone who really loves their trade.

Alpacas are much more biddable creatures. Llamas are horrible. As a species, it’s probably for the best that they’re wary of us. But on a personal level, I find it very hard to come to terms with.

When I’m filming, my fitness levels fall off, but when I’m not, I try to go to the gym a few times a week.

I’ve been to Venice, Rome, and Dubrovnik, but none of them come close to Edinburgh.

I grew up the son of the village doctor, so my father was quite well known. At home in Northumberland, frankly Dad is the famous one.

I have a horrible capacity to be unctuous to people I want to impress.

Why should your background be held against you? It is so short-sighted.

For years we’ve had all the big-hitting HBO box-set dramas, all these brilliant, witty, clever shows, and in return the only thing we’ve had to offer is big period dramas like ‘Downton Abbey’.

I draw great comfort from remoteness and wildness. I suppose that is why I have always felt the lure of the Arctic so acutely.

I suppose I am Scottish – Armstrong. They were thugs, basically, reivers – and I bet they were ravers, too. They lived in what was known as the Debatable Lands, so it didn’t have any allegiance to either the English or the Scottish crown.

Genuine talent does shine through but, in my experience, ambition will get you much further than pure talent.

I love ‘Pointless’, part of the genius of the show is that it’s always a different story.

I would love not to be losing my hair.

Andy Parsons was always very funny. He was in a double act with a guy called Henry Naylor. Dan Mazer was always a very funny guy.

I’d love a rule to be introduced that you can only ring up and complain about a programme if you can prove you’ve watched the whole programme.

I always think that in nearly every instance things that turn ugly, they almost invariably do so because of a misunderstanding, or because of poor communication.

My parents were relaxed, but very strict on manners. They encouraged us to follow our instincts and desires, so they were quite bohemian in that sense, but we had to work hard and that included chores.

I love doing children’s TV. You get such extraordinarily positive feedback from your audience too.

I’m the youngest of three children. We lived beside a big beech wood, on the edge of the moors, in Northumberland, which was enormously good fun.

Well I am breaking the omerta and telling the world about how the Arctic is surprisingly full of bustling conurbations and comfy hotels so no explorer will ever speak to me again.

Danger Mouse’ is James Bond essentially. A rodent James Bond. Oh and slightly Batman too I suppose. And let’s chuck in a little bit Superman while we’re there. He’s an old-fashion swashbuckling hero.

I’m dementedly optimistic, and whoever I’m with usually feels they have to balance my more wayward optimism.

I do love a good atmospheric soundtrack, me.

I’ve got four boys and villas are not astronomically expensive, especially if you share with another family.

I have four boys aged 10 and under. Fatherhood is lovely but there is this slightly shocking moment when you realise it is not something you just wear and take off.

I have a blessed life. I do a job that I really love and I have a really good close-knit network of friends and family.

I lived on a barge for the first six months, with a cousin. Then on the floor of a friend’s house.