Episode 26 – Debbie Arnold Interview

Welcome to episode 26 of The Minder Podcast in association with minder.org.

What red blooded male would not love to have met Debbie Arnold in the 80s? Much less spoken to her for an hour. Well, it’s 2023 and Debbie is still as lovely as ever. I now, rather belatedly have her phone number and can honestly say she gave it to me voluntarily. Of course I would be too nervous to ever use it but at least I have it. I won’t mention Debbie’s age but I will say she could pass for very much younger.

Royce Mills – Arthur’s accountant. That’s the face.

Best of all she is a great guest with several stories. So here we have a great chat with Debbie about the two episodes of Minder she appeared in – both from 1985. They are of course Life in the Fast Food Lane from Series 6, which featured Jan Francis. And then the feature length classic, Minder on the Orient Express. We’ve spoken about this before but Debbie recalls some information which I am sure you have not heard anywhere else.  

There were times where she had me in fits of laughter which you can’t hear because I was so amused it came out as a silent laugh. She is a very funny woman.

Some highlights include the very different side to George Cole, a good few tidbits on Dennis Waterman as well of course as the actual filming of both episodes. We also cover Debbie’s amazing talent for voices and where that may have been inspired, her transferral from being a north easterner to speaking posh.

An incredible revelation regarding Jenny Lee Wright, a very touching story about Kenneth Cope and a not so touching one (much to his disappointment) on Michael Winner.

Did you know Debbie was married to John Challis? I didn’t until researching more on Debbie. We cover John Cleese as well, for two reasons.

And the words ‘basque’, ‘suspenders’, ‘Jim Davidson’, ‘Benny Hill’, and ‘no camera up the bum’ are also mentioned.

Plus Debbie’s ability to charm older men, which to come full circle, I guess now includes me compared to the 80s.

So if you don’t want to listen to the interview after that introduction you’re in the wrong place. Otherwise, episode 26 (Debbie Does Minder?) is available to download here or via Spotify.