Episode 21 – Carole Ashby Interview

In this show we feature an interview with the wonderful Carole Ashby who played Imogen in Fiddler on the Hoof.

This was episode 5 of the much underrated series 7 – the latest in the Dennis Waterman era that we’ve yet gone in featuring an actor or actress.

So what was it like working with George and Dennis during this series?

We get into some of the background to the episode including some very memorable scenes with Carole. Once she enters the episode she features in many scenes and becomes a big part of the storyline.

It’s also an episode with several very strong names from the British acting world including Michael Kitchen, Billy Murray and Don Henderson.

There is also a famous fight scene in the episode which for the one and only time in Minder featured a female (Carole) as the violent protagonist!

Dez gets a kicking before Mick receives a smack in the mouth. Even Terry is under the cosh. What a bird!

Then there is her Scandinavian approach for the part of Imogen although according to Carole it might have been closer to a Welsh and Indian hybrid accent. No problem for Minder!

Carole has several other interesting connections both in terms of her family background (her father might well have been a government spy) and entry into stardom, from Sale of the Century and a Playboy request to ‘Allo Allo, Octopussy and View To A Kill. That’s right, a real live Bond girl with many interesting stories. Everything and Moore!

The Octopussy line-up with a resplendent Carole (Octopussy Bond Girl), top right

We get into all this and much more on this episode 21 of the Minder podcast. Imogen that!

Still looking fantastic 34 years after meeting Maltese Tony, must be the water in Sweden!

Download the show here.

You can also find the podcast through Spotify or Player FM.

For more on Carole Ashby, a good starting place is here or here.