.words.

When life imitates art

By Staff Reporter

He's not a vain man, but Trainspotting star Kevin McKidd, below, would like to say a big 'thank-you' to the make-up department on his new series North Square forperforming miracles every morning.

"They would take one look at me at 6am and say, 'Oh,my god Kevin ­ what are we going to do with you?' But somehow they managed to make me look human for the camera."

The reason the blond, good-looking actor was having problems with his appearance was because of the arrival of his first son, Joseph George McKidd.

The Scots star couldn't escape babies this summer as in North Square he plays Billy Guthrie, a barrister, whose partner Rose is heavily pregnant as the series opens. There is a touch-and-go car chase to the hospital as she goes into labour.

"It wasn't quite that dramatic with Jane, but North Square is set in Leeds and so we had a cottage up in the hills while I was working there. There was a bit of a mad car journey when I heard Jane was in labour.

His face lights up when he talks about his son and becoming a parent has radically changed his outlook on life.

"I feel as though I have suddenly become part of the human race," he explains. "Before that you've been this kind of alien. If you're on your own, then you are just on your own and that's it. But, by having your own child, you are handing on the baton.

"You do leave the planet for the first few months though," he admits with a laugh.

"That's why I could totally identify with Billy and what he has to go through".

North Square, Channel 4, Wednesdays, 9pm

Irish News 23 October 2000

<< words