Time Out at 40

See all Time Out's 40th birthday London heroes

Your London hero?
‘I’ve only ever had one hero in my life. I was at Victoria station, platform seven. I was walking down the platform and there was this girl coming towards me with a kit bag on her back that was bigger than she was, and she had leg irons on – she had legs like corkscrews. She was coming down the platform and I said, “Where the fuck are you going?” And she said, “I’m going round the world.” She’s been my hero ever since, the only hero I’ve ever had.’

What’s your favourite place or thing in London?
‘Lemonia, a Greek restaurant in Primrose Hill. It serves the same food it’s been serving for 40 years. You know exactly what you’re gonna get. I’ve got my own table, my kids go there, and it’s my favourite place in the world. I love it.’

How do you pick the perfect London film?
‘Cold bum test. I take it [the script] to the khazi in the morning and if I end up with a cold arse I think: This has got to be a good script. If you notice you’ve got pins and needles you think: Fuck me, this must be a good one.’

Complete the sentence: London is…
‘…my home. I’m a Londoner, through and through.’

See all Time Out's 40th birthday London heroes
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