CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER – THIS IS YOUR 40TH YEAR COMMENTATING FOR CRUFTS.
It is, but I'm surprised at the interest at that. It's also the 40th anniversary of the introduction of agility to Crufts. I look forward to it every year, it's terrific. I do a lot of dog shows up and down the country, companion dog shows, but it's been a part of my life for a very long time.
THE SHOW ITSELF HAS BEEN RUNNING SINCE THE LATE 1800S. WHAT DO YOU PUT ITS SUCCESS DOWN TO?
Well it's got bigger and bigger, that's why it still works. There's 160,000-odd people coming through the door, paying customers, and then there's thousands of people demonstrating, taking part in events and competing. I've watched it grow like crazy. Every day there are 5,000 dogs taking part in competitions and out of those, they will produce the seven that will go into the Best in Show on Sunday night. It's a wonderful logistical exercise and it's very clever how they do it.
AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL AFTERGLOW MIAMI INK TOOK THE BEST IN SHOW TITLE LAST YEAR. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CROWNED THIS TIME?
It never worries me one way or the other which dogs come through. There are some which have been winning regularly throughout the year – they're very successful – but it's very hard to predict. I'm not an expert in the breeds. I know about them because I have my notes on them and I've been watching them for years, so obviously through the process of osmosis, I've learned a lot.
YOU HAVE SEVEN DOGS OF YOUR OWN AT HOME TOO. HOW DO YOU COPE?
Not easily. But actually having seven dogs in the house – they're all house dogs – never seems like a lot. It's quite interesting, if one is ill for whatever reason, whether it's gone to the vet's and it's had to stay there for a couple of days or whatever, you really miss that one. You get used to the size of your collection, but they all sit with us in the breakfast room, they watch the TV – well we do, and they're part of the family.
THEY MUST KEEP YOU FIT?
Yeah, I go out and play with the puppy a lot now. He's got so much energy and we've got a big garden, we're lucky, so I play with him in the garden. He chases a ring and he probably chases it for about two miles up and down the garden. Every time I throw it, he's running 80 yards there and back and he would do it incessantly. Even if I threw it to the exact same place every time, he would still chase it with just the same excitement.
ASIDE FROM CRUFTS, YOU'RE REMEMBERED FOR THE PART OF STEVEN TAYLOR, A COMPANION OF THE FIRST DOCTOR WHO. DO YOU STILL HAVE MUCH TO DO WITH THE FRANCHISE?
The Doctor Who thing is amazing. Last year I went to America four times to big conventions, it's lovely they have embraced it.
IS INTEREST IN THE EARLIER EPISODES GROWING IN THE US?
I was in Doctor Who at a time most Americans are not really interested in. It wasn't even in colour. But a lot of people caught up on the show and then went back to find out how it all started and so there is a big cult following for what are now called 'the classic episodes'.
:: Crufts is held on March 8-11. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4 and More 4.
