Mark Gatiss Interviewed

How did it feel to appear on the show?
"It was beyond exciting. I didn't know what to do. I didn't sleep at all the day I got the call. I thought, 'This is exactly how I imagined it would always be'. I was so excited - I couldn't stop thinking about it. Thank God, it's everything I hoped for: a brilliant part, great script, a proper meaty baddie role, so I was just delighted."

How gruelling was the make up process to turn you into a 76-year-old man?
"Yeah, it's a prosthetic mask that Neill Gorton did. It's amazing - this is not just actor's w**k, believe me - but it changes everything: the way you sit, the way you move. Honestly, I found myself reaching for a cup of tea in the make up chair and I was slightly delicate. When you see yourself like that, it changes everything. I weakened my voice and watched how old people move. My key contribution - apart from dandruff, I was very keen they put than on my tuxedo - old people, no matter how spruce they are, always have bits of skin falling off! I insisted on having dulled eyes, because bright eyes always give it away. So they made me these slightly rheumatoid, blind eyes. They take the shine off. It made a hell of a difference."