Entertainment

Arts Q&A: Blue Lights' Andi Osho on Stevie Wonder, Bros and Malcolm Gladwell

Jenny Lee puts performers and artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week, comedian, writer and Blue Lights actress Andi Osho

Comedian, writer and Blue Lights actress Andi Osho
Comedian, writer and Blue Lights actress Andi Osho Comedian, writer and Blue Lights actress Andi Osho

1. When did you think about a career in acting and what were your first steps into it?

I probably wanted to be an actor from about seven or eight years old but it took another 20 years to do anything about it. Some of my peers pursued an acting career after our A Levels but I ended up working behind-the-camera. Years later, I was on a job where I got to mix with the actors and realised this was what I wanted to do. Before that contract was finished, I’d booked my first acting class. I was so nervous, I had a Guinness before going in.

2. Best gigs you’ve been to?

The first gig I went to was probably my best – Bros, Wembley Arena, circa 1988. I just LOVED them and heading to the show with my mates, no parents, finally getting to see the boys live, screaming out all the lyrics, was epic.  

3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?

Easy. Nile Rogers and Chic. There’s no party they couldn’t get started.

4. The record you’d take to a desert island?

Songs In The Key of Life by Stevie Wonder because it has so much detail that every time I listen, I’ll always hear something new.  

5. And the book you’d take to a desert island?

Probably the dictionary. It’s infinitely interesting and if I also had a pen and paper, I could write stories in really elaborate language – not that anyone will read them, but still…

6. Top three films?

I’ve got about 20 fav movies that I watch on a pretty regular basis, so it’s hard to pick just three, but I’d say, The Matrix, Ghostbusters and Aliens.

Andi Osho portrays Sandra Cliff in the BBC crime drama Blue Lights
Andi Osho portrays Sandra Cliff in the BBC crime drama Blue Lights Andi Osho portrays Sandra Cliff in the BBC crime drama Blue Lights

7. Worst film you’ve seen?

It’s not for me to single out anyone’s work, but any film that shows social ills going unchecked is not my thing. Like, if a movie depicts violence against women but doesn’t have a moral position on that, I can’t get onboard. My feeling is, directors should have a viewpoint on what they’re putting into the world. Otherwise, what is their film contributing?

8. Favourite authors?

I mainly read non-fiction, and so my favourite writer is probably Malcolm Gladwell. I enjoy how he pieces together his research and turns social science into a real page-turner. As for fiction, I jump around a fair bit but I recently read Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane and absolutely loved it. Instant convert.

9. Sport(s) you most enjoy and top team(s)?

I dip in and out but enjoy a bit of everything – except golf. Mostly I’ll watch international footie, tennis and athletics.

10. Ideal holiday destination?

Anywhere that doesn’t have swathes of bugs, as I get bitten to shreds. I swear they hear a dinner gong when my plane lands.

11. Pet hates?

Anything anti-social like spitting, feet on seats on trains, sneaky indoor vaping, but the big one is noisy audience members in the cinema or theatre. I just can’t.

12. What’s your favourite:

Dinner? Seabass or shellfish.

Dessert? Sticky toffee pudding. I love it so much I wanted to start a STP Insta account but someone already has.

Drink? Prosecco. It doesn’t cost the earth, but it’s still a fun fizz.

13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?

I don’t have a best friend, more like, several close pals I’ve met along the way.

14. Is there a God?

Who knows, but my working theory is that the act of believing creates God, so, if someone believes God exists, she does. And the beauty is, that removes the need to argue for or against God’s existence.

:: Andi Osho portrays Sandra Cliff in the BBC crime drama Blue Lights. It continues on Monday at 9pm on BBC One and is also available on BBC iPlayer. Andi’s new book, Tough Crowd, about an open mic comedian, is published on July 20.