Who is Ed?
After filming the second series of 'Bugs', Craig McLachlan confesses that he was 'totally whacked ....it's always a punishing schedule, and everyone, cast and crew alike, are all exhausted when it finishes'. 'Well, I hadn't been home to Australia for ages - and I'd missed out on a couple of family Christmases, too. So, I decided to grab a quick break, and fly home to see them all'.
'I got on the flight, and I was just knackered - even worse when I got there - 26 hours in all on the plane. I hadn't told my Mum that I was coming, because I wanted to surprise her. So I was picked up at the airport, and we drove for another two hours before I got there. I crept into the house, and there they all were, watching 'Bugs'!'
'No-one took a blind bit of notice of me, no-one turned round - they knew someone had come in, and whoever it was told to 'Sssssssshhh! keep quiet! I finally broke their concentration by saying rather loudly 'Actually, I KNOW what happens next! and Mum suddenly realised who it was!'
He may only have been back in Oz 'for about six days in all' says Craig, 'but it was enough to re-charge the batteries. It's funny what a bit of warm sun and eating and drinking outside can do for you ..... it's so grey and cold at that time of the year in the UK, but it's glorious weather back home. It really energises you.'
The new series of 'Bugs' will see a few changes, promises Craig. 'We all had some very constructive get-togethers to see how things would develop' he says. 'I don't want to give too much away, but we were all very positive about embellishing the human sides of Ed, Ros and Beckett. We all felt that they had to open up their lives a bit to other people, and it's worked brilliantly'.
'You can't just stride onto a set and into a scene where you spout technical jargon all the time - people won't wear that. There's got to be another dimension. It was always there, but this time, it's much more to the fore.'
I've got a soft spot for old Ed - he's a very likeable bloke. And I'm more than ever grateful to be playing him again because of a lot of things that happened in my private life last year.'
Craig reveals that he was one of the clients of a London agent who went spectacularly bust, owing him and several other established showbiz names (including co-star Leslie Ash) many hundreds of thousands of pounds.
'I take the view now that it's 'least said, soonest mended', he says, 'but there's no denying that I *was* very bitter indeed about the mess she left us all in.'
'This was one of the things, Craig says, 'that prevented me from doing a tour with my band, The Culprits. When you lose the lot - well, it concentrates the mind a bit.'
He remains philosophical. 'I just have to remind myself that I've been *very* lucky indeed throughout my career. In ten years, I just haven't stopped working. I used to get really wound up, and wanted to do everything, every offer that came along. Ever since I can remember, performing was what I wanted to do. As a kid I realised that it was 'showing off'. And as an adult I realise that it's 'showing off and getting paid for it'! Back then, in Australia, I'd do anything for the TV stations, just to show that I could. I'd do talent shows, telethons - anything. I was eager and willing to learn. And I've never actually stopped learning yet.'
'Last year, there was a movie on offer, set in Australia and based on a true story. But the timing was out, and I was involved with 'Bugs'. At the time, I was gutted, but you realise that something else will come along. I'm a lot more sanguine about it these days.'
'There is talk about a thriller later in the year, playing a corrupt sort of character who will be a total breakaway from what others see as my 'Mr Nice Guy' image. And for that, much thanks and Hallelujah! But we'll wait and see if it happens.'
Over the next few weeks, viewers will see Ed 'emotionally smitten' by the new character that's been written in, Alex (Paula Hunt). He laughs: 'It really got so interesting that I said to our producer at one point 'Hey, this is starting to look like Dynasty! But I think the audience will find it all a load of fun.'
'There's one marvellous scene where they talk about a date they've finally been on. It's obviously been a total disaster from the word 'go'. And it's all his fault, as well. Have I ever been out on a disastrous date? If l have, I'm not telling you about it - or who it was with!'
'Bugs' is noted for all the high-tech equipment the top-flight trio use. So what's Craig driving these days? 'The same BMW 325... and I'm ashamed to say that it is in dire need of a good wash and polish. I just haven't had the time recently!'
