What can people expect from the new series of Red Dwarf?

A similar flavour to the last series. There are some really good storylines and brilliant guest performances from people including Johnny Vegas and James Buckley. Johnny’s a top-drawer comedy performer and was brilliant.

What is the enduring appeal of Red Dwarf?

It’s been 30 years now. It’s in its own special world. The original concept was Steptoe And Son in space but the writing has been consistently excellent. During the gap following season eight, people were champing at the bit for more. Maybe it’s a combination of the chemistry between the cast and the writing that make it so consistently watchable.

Is it nice to still do?

It is. We’ve known each other for a long time and when we meet it’s like we’ve never been away.

You opened a leisure centre recently with the cast from The Brittas Empire…

Yes, we had a little reunion. It was a joyous occasion to be back together with a cast who were a real highlight of my professional life. It was such a nice show to work on and all the memories came flooding back when we met again.

Why did you do it?

We got together to assist in the opening of the rebranded Ringwood Leisure Centre in Hampshire, where we filmed the original series.

Were you happy with what they’ve done to the place?

It’s 20 years since we last filmed there and, like anything, it’s developed. Like any leisure centre there are different things in there than 20 years ago.

Will you be reviving the show?

The original writers were there at the reunion and I know they’re very keen to try to get a new Brittas Empire series going and they’re discussing it with producers and broadcasters. It would be interesting to see Brittas in the 21st century as he was a 20th-century man. It could be potentially very funny to see how a fairly insensitive man would operate in that environment today. So I’d be up for it.

You played Brittas in Little Mix’s Word Up video for Sport Relief. Did they have a clue who the character was?

No, I don’t think they did. I remember the day we did the video and the only people who knew me were the older snooker players — everyone else was in their early twenties. But I go to conventions and lots of people of Little Mix’s age have seen the series and have enjoyed it. And James Buckley’s a Red Dwarf fan so people of all ages watch that show — we were very happy he could appear in an episode.

Are you still scared of flying?

That started because I hadn’t flown for a long time and I got paranoid about terrorism and technical faults so I went through a phase of not wanting to fly. Then I did some documentaries about engineering and had to travel a lot and I got over it. I know lots of pilots and cabin crew in my local area, so knowing they all got to work every day and come home helped put my mind at rest. So I’m happy to say it wore off by itself rather than me needing to see anyone.

Do you still collect classic cars?

The collection is complete. I’ve got eight. I just try to maintain them in good order now.

What’s your favourite?

My 1950s Jaguar Mark 7. It sums up the promotional phrase Jaguar used to use — ‘grace, space and taste.’ It has a good engine clothed in a comfortable yet elegant saloon body. It’s the daddy of the saloons.

You were in Tomb Raider. Have you kept in touch with Angelina Jolie?

No. She’s a huge, great Hollywood star and most of the time she was surrounded by an entourage so there weren’t many opportunities to build up a one-to-one relationship. But from the few conversations I had with her she seemed like a very decent and polite woman.

Do you have any career ambitions?

Not really. I’ve been very fortunate with Spitting Image, Red Dwarf and Brittas, to do three shows that have been successful, and I’m glad to have done those. I’d perhaps like to do a period drama, just for the chance to dress up like a dandy and flounce about the place.

Red Dwarf starts on Dave tonight at 9pm