Simon's at his Peak despite cuts

By Derek Robins

Peak Practice star Simon Shepherd can't help smiling even though ITV has cut back the medical drama from 24 to 13 episodes a year.

The floppy-haired actor, 45, who plays Dr Will Preston, says: "It is great. I am really excited as the stories are sharper and I have much more time to spend with my family.

"Now I work for five or six months a year - before it was up to 10. Now I am free to do what I wish."

Simon says the current series has included some of the most demanding scenes he has ever filmed. Preston has been suffering badly with the return of his druggie son Tony (Adam Croasdell) who's been doing his best to ruin his happy life.

He says: "Tony tries to destroy Will and beat him up emotionally. Will is reaching for the Prozac and things are going to get worse." The drama's sexier, new look has Simon's full support. He says: "Really we have gone back to the gritty roots it had when it was first devised by Lucy Gannon in 1993.

"It has been brought into the 21st century and given a real lift. I do not know if it was tired but we have gone right away from diseases of the week.

"It needed very careful and brave surgery. I think we've achieved it."

..and what of the future?

Peak Practice's Simon Shepherd is glad to report that his children are nothing like his druggie screen son Tony (Adam Croasdell).

Simon, father of Joe, 13, twins Billie and Arthur, 10, and Beatrice, six, says: "My relationship with my sons is fine. I think I get all my angst out on screen. Joe watches the show and he has lots to say about it!

"But I do worry about my own kids and what is going to happen to them in the future because of world events."

As a cast original, on his second stint, Simon says he has no desire to leave the ITV drama. He was written out 1997, then returned last year. Simon, who once beat ER's George Clooney to win a sexiest TV doctor poll, says: "I hope I am not going to leave.

"I've bought a place in Derbyshire where we film it and if we don't come back, I'll have to sell it."

Fewer episodes now affords him time for other acting projects. He particularly enjoyed his cameo role in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme earlier this autumn. He laughs: "James Dreyfuss's character has a thing about me. I had to act out a gay drama called The Benders for him. It was hilarious!

"I'm also hoping to appear on stage for the first time in 10 years next year."

He also tries to devote as much energy as he can to helping kids' charities. He backs Barnardo's and Save the Children, explaining: "I had a very privileged and happy childhood and these charities can give children a better start. It is not a political stance, purely an emotive belief."

He is married to costume designer Alex Byrne, who worked on films Elizabeth and Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

26/11/01