S7 Ep6: Charlie Williams: Undefeated Boxer to Actor | Birmingham City, Shia LaBeouf & Family Tragedy

[00:00:00] I didn't think anything would come out of it and they said, oh, we'd like to have you involved in some sort of way, but there's no major roles, but we'll try and get you in if we can. The next thing you know, it was a bare knuckle fighter and one of the main families and just asked me to be along with it and had lots of Shia LaBeouf in and I was just like, it's like a dream, dream star.

[00:00:20] I actually, the first time I went to a gym, everyone strips off, weigh in, in your boxers and I was only, I was eight as I say, and I was the only one with triangle brief pants. And I stood up and some lads was ripping me that had like briefs on, on the end of the little pockets, what a little Thomas Tank engine or something.

[00:00:43] Look at the FIs, one of my best friends carry FI, like unbelievable fighters, they don't want to be in the line, like they're, they're, I love that for them, like and I love, I love the lads, like they, they're unbelievable fighters and they've done what they've done and they're world champions and they've absolutely excelled. But look at a lot of people in the Birmingham area at the club and stuff, like they'll probably know other people like Ryan Kelly more, if they're not boxing fans and, and different lads around Birmingham because like they're not out there. Yeah.

[00:01:13] Yeah. So, um, I didn't realize how bad it was then until you get older, well, sadly, I lost my sister four years ago, um, and she'd taken her own life. And I always say now, like if I didn't quit sport the way I did, what journey would have gone down and that I was going to the place of not, not a nice place to be in. You don't know how far you actually have to go to be that. If you liked this video, please do click to subscribe to the channel. We currently have five and a half thousand members, um, over half a million views.

[00:01:41] So let's convert some views into memberships and that will continue to enable us to bring great guests on and continue making great podcasts. Thanks. Morning, mate. Morning. How are you? Yeah, good. Not too bad. Not too bad. Down at the, the church. The Mecca. The Mecca. Yeah. It's a nice day on a Monday morning. Unbelievable. I love it. Yeah. Yeah. Did the picture look big when it marked? I didn't even know who's that. Massive. I remember being down there when I was, I got a picture when I was seven.

[00:02:11] Um, there was me, um, David Gold, your dad. And, um, they used to, as a kid, I don't know if they do it now, but used to be able to buy a signed ball for your birthday. Yeah. Used to go down there and then walk you out there at half time. And there was no case, I don't think at that time for any, um, anyone to have a photo of me and they, um, yeah, David Gold come out. Um, I think it was with his daughter or someone or one of his family members and had a photo with us.

[00:02:34] And it was literally with the back of, um, the main stand. And then when I won the title, it was, there was a photographer that took a photo and it was the exact same angle. No. It was like a split screen of like when I was seven and then when I was 23 and I was just like, beautiful for you socials. Yeah. And when like, was it raw? No, what? Tuggerpoo. Is it Roy? The photographer? Yeah, Roy. Yeah. I've seen him in that years. Yeah. Um, but you look back at stuff like that and if I could have told myself at seven years of eight, they have a ball like,

[00:03:03] bussing to be on the pitch, like, absolutely obsessed, blues, gloves, everything. That when you're 23 years later, you're going to be like in the same position with a title as a freshman boxer. You'd have been like, oh, that's amazing. That's not bad guys. So was that always a dream from childhood? When did you start boxing? When I was eight. Yeah. So I was, I was a little kid then. That was before I even started boxing. Um, my dad was a boxer. My uncle was a boxer. My granddad was reserved for the house in Killingvix.

[00:03:31] So it was always in the family. I don't know if I did have a choice, but, um, no, I love boxing and I actually, the first, first time I went to a gym, um, I, they, everyone strips off, weigh in, in your boxers. And I was only, I was eight, as I say. And, um, I was the only one with triangle brief pants. And I stood up in the, and like some lads was ripping me that I had like briefs on. Like, on the end of the fucking little pockets, with a little Thomas tank engine or something.

[00:04:01] And I was like, everyone's ripping me from other fucking pants. My mother thought he was like, yeah, he's only little now. Was that the inspiration that you needed? Is that what drove you off? We talked about fuel, fueling your fire. Of water, boy. So I cried. My mum took me home, never going boxing again. Um, eventually plucked up the cushion, bought me boxers. Just strutting back in there. Yeah, strutting back in, my boxers, wading. Um, back to normal, kids still ripping me.

[00:04:31] And then obviously further down the line, batter them all. Panda. And then I'll do it on the final. So I'm thinking my gloves, I think, yeah. You should have done that down here with the, uh, big pair of Thomas tank engine pants with a bow. Yeah. So that's a massive memory of me. I've been bullied and then I was like in my Thomas tank engine pants and then come back and, uh, That's a lot to get back at that age. Bloody hell. Well, yeah, I mean. Where was that? Where was you trying? Uh, Tamworth.

[00:05:00] Yeah, Tamworth Hamptured Boxing Club for, I think it was one of my first 12 fights. Yeah. Um, cause my dad's from Chalmsley. My mom's from Sheldon and they moved over there. Um, and yeah, it was quite, um, at that time, my dad had, um, a massive, um, fan base, friends in Chalmsley. And there was a three C's and they had their, um, boxing club. And one of my dad's friends who he used to box with, son was my age.

[00:05:24] And one of my debuts was against his mate's son and from Tamworth and Chalmsley. And, um, so I remember the loads of people being there, like mate to mate. Like, ah, Carlson's fighting. It was Eamon Crawford at the time, Eamon's son, Connor. And, um, I beat him, but like, yeah, it was just like, oh, my first fight and then I had a return. And then I went then to three C's at eight, well, 12, you start boxing. Yeah. Um, so I've been training since I was eight and we boxed and I beat him again, double.

[00:05:54] So it was like, and that was my, that was my first ever two fights. Um, yeah. And then just went on from there and my first five. Well, we're from over them sides, like the three C's and Chalmsley. I did, yeah. So it's, um, the, the support is unreal, isn't it? Yeah. I mean, look at Ryan Kelly, like even myself from, from Chalmsley went on with dad's friends. Cause my, my granddad used to run, um, Kingsdale Hammington boxing club. So for years. So my dad also had a lot of friends over there and the same fans. It's funny cause me and Ryan Kelly box at the same time.

[00:06:22] And Ryan used to have fans from there and he'd be like, oh, fuck you. So, and so is coming tomorrow. Father, well, I've had their tickets. You know what I mean? Like, that's why never tickets. I mean, Ryan's obviously born there. And so he's got a lot more fan base, but you saw some lads like buy tickets off me and Bob Ryan. So bit of competition. Brilliant, man. Yeah. The, um, the recent Connor one, um, obviously he, he lost, but yeah, the support. They're just from the lads and like Chalmsley lads in the tavern. And just like, it's just blues.

[00:06:52] When blues had got fighting even years ago, and we were cracking on that. And I know there's a lot of trouble, um, in one of the arenas where I was in the NEC. Yeah. Um, where Birmingham, but Birmingham boxing stopped because of that. To the chairs and all that. Yeah. Chairs everywhere. And the blues lads had caused a riot. And I think Swansea fans as well, but like massive ruckers. And it stopped, stopped boxing in Birmingham for years. And then you had the rise of Sam Higginton that brought it back.

[00:07:18] Um, and yeah, I just kind of like, I wanted to be a part of that journey as well. As Birmingham was coming back into the boxing scene, I was on the fan end of it and just kind of, um, did what I did. How did it come about work? Because you brought with match room, didn't you? Yeah. So, um, I was a good ticket seller. I had a big fan base at blues. Um, I think in my, my first, first couple of fights, I was like doing 300 tickets, which

[00:07:41] like, it was nice to box at Villa Park at the whole suite, being a blues fan, coming out to Mr. Blue Sky, all in my blues kit. Like standing there, in the whole suite, we have dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum. It was, it was a match. Like, you can't beat that. Like, it was great. And then I'd come out and then, yeah, and then all my, you know, I never lost. So, um, it's great for me. I loved it. Mm. Yeah. John Pegg seems to be the nucleus of a lot of stuff that we do. Yeah.

[00:08:10] How did you, I know you've had a bit of, obviously dealings with him. Well, yeah, John was my manager. Yeah. Um, and to be honest, like John's great of all his lads. Um, but for me, I, I pushed myself a lot. Like John had certain contacts with Matt Kroon where, oh yeah, I have Charlie. Like he's basically, yeah, you can have, have him to be on the show, but you have to push yourself as a brand yourself. Like a lot of boxers, you can't leave it to just managers.

[00:08:40] Like John basically has got a manager's license and he will match you up. But as a promotional marketing kind of push, they don't really do much. It's just the fight aspect. Yeah. Um, and you speak to any of the lads in boxing managers just literally match you and chat to say promoters. But if you've got to make yourself as a brand, just so they're interested and selling tickets and like, yeah, you have promoters.

[00:09:07] So you say like Tommy Owens, like he great shows for Birmingham, small horse shows, puts lads on the ladder, but they don't really promote promote. When you say, oh, they're a promoter. Yeah. They put on a show, but you have to promote yourself singularly to entice people to buy tickets to their show. So for then you then to get noticed by Matt Troom to get noticed by other big boxer or Ben Shalom or Eddie and whoever, um, comes to the city.

[00:09:33] So, um, yeah, I just feel like boxers need to push their own brand. It's a bit of a, it's a bit of a strange one, that is, isn't it? For, unless you are very outgoing, you're obviously a very outgoing person. If you're not that way inclined and you're quite insulated, but you're a good boxer, you haven't really got a chance. Have you in that respect? It is a shame. And I said this to like, look at the FIs, one of our best friends, KFI, like unbelievable fighters. They don't want to be in the line. Like they're there. I love that for them. Like, and I love, I love the lads.

[00:10:02] Like they, they're unbelievable fighters and they've done what they've done and they're world champions and they've absolutely excelled. But look at a lot of people in the Birmingham area at the club and stuff. Like they'll probably know other people like Ryan Kelly more if they're not boxing fans and different lads around Birmingham. Cause like they're not out there, which they're better boxers than all of us. They'll smash everyone. But like the marketing side is completely different to the boxing side.

[00:10:28] And unless you've got that gift of the gab, Conor's got gift of the gab and he's kind of doing his thing to get out there. Of course. You've got to be an exceptional, unbelievable talent. Um, Cal's seven, I think it's seven world total defenses. Do you know what I mean? It's incredible. And he's earned his money and he's set up with his family. Unbelievable. But there's, there's that side and then there's. Yeah, you're right. You never heard, dude. You've always had a shot from the rooftop. Dad did open the gym, didn't they? But they don't want to be a bad. And that's what I respect about them. They self-hawks on the ability.

[00:10:58] But that means they have to be exceptional. They, if you've got other lads who are really, really good, but you never hear about them, then it's kind of like a quandary, isn't it? Yeah. Um, so it's always a fine balance between being too much and also being talented. Um, I wasn't ever mouthy. I wasn't ever disrespectful to people, but I sold tickets and I knew a lot of people and then got on with people.

[00:11:20] Um, I weren't the most talented in the room, but I knew you've got to realize that if you're not as talented as some of the lads that are like, or up there, you've got to, in another way. Again, to get them opportunities to be put in front of the titles, you've got to sell tickets, you've got to put bums on seats. Level or any? Mm-hmm. Or see your wane in just lots of insulation tape with your nipples covered and... Like colour! Yeah. Yeah. But that plays into, I switched over briefly the weekend, the Misfits. Yeah. I love to hate it.

[00:11:49] I really love to hate it. 50 grand. Yeah, 50 grand for that. But they are shouting about not being very good and they know what they are. So I kind of like, it's like a weird... But what else is he going to do in life with him, isn't it? Yeah. The whole build-up, isn't it? Do you know what I mean? It's going down the road now, isn't it? Of more notoriety. Before it was kind of minor slep. Now the whole thing of like the... I know he's been in prison and the press conferences, I can have your family killed and all that. It's not great.

[00:12:18] It's just like, it's pathetic. And I don't like the way they talk, like, especially that, I don't even know his name, but chains all over. Like, the way he was talking and that, it's just not good for the... It shouldn't be classed as boxing. It should be exhibition fighting. I don't think people class it as boxing. Nah, they can't. But they... Yeah, they call it boxing, don't they? Yeah, and I don't like to class it as boxing because it's not. It's exhibition fighting and exhibition kind of social media.

[00:12:45] How frustrating must it be though to people like you who have done the hard yards and that guy rocks up and he's overweight and he's trying to do it and he's biting and he's getting paid for his grand. Like, he's a bit, he bit someone. Yeah. Out, see ya, get out, get out of the ring. He's done it again and like... But then the ref is then scared of the promotion. So it's like... Yeah. It's not even boxing, like, it's just a big show isn't it? The WWE, but... It's not like a WWE where it's fake. You can get hurt. Yeah.

[00:13:14] You see him and then afterwards they're punching each other in the streets and that ain't they? Like, kids are gonna gravitate towards it, ain't they? Because it's sensational but... It seems like it's gonna find a point down the line where something's gonna happen. How bad is it gonna go? How can it get worse than that show? How can that Misfit show get worse than what it was? Like, that's terrible. You find it coming from his trash TV. Well even like with KSI and the guys who were fighting initially, they were putting training camps in, weren't they?

[00:13:41] I had to have to KSI and the Jay Pauls who were giving it a go. At the start everyone mucked to him, yeah, as well as myself. Well what are they doing? But they've proved that they've tried and had a go in the proper camps. I was in America and I went to Burning Man festival and I was literally having a walk in the morning and went to grab a coffee and Jay Paul ran past me at this festival. It was a big music festival but he was putting it in the desert, a 40 degree heat, just like having a run. And it was on just before his fight with Tommy Fury.

[00:14:11] So he was literally putting it in when there was a big festival going on because I've seen like, do you know what I mean? So people are grafting but there's people that are not and they're just taking their money and they'll never have to graft in it because their mouth sells. Yeah, so you've got the polar opposites. I mean, you have to, like you say, people who are going through the ranks and not getting these chances. But even the lads going through the ranks, like say, like it's the small hall lads that have got a British title, they get 10, 20 grand.

[00:14:40] If they're ticket sellers they get a bit more. When your tax is taken out of that, 10 grand, so you've got 10 grand left out of 20. Then you've got to pay your managers and your coaches. Some pay to take 25%. It's like, if your career is over time, what's that? There's nothing, like it's actually pennies. And you're risking your life for 8 grand. Yeah. Sister thinks obviously you've been in plumbing as a trade as well. You know how to make money. That isn't getting your brain rattled for 12 rounds.

[00:15:09] So your story is quite, it's really unique isn't it? Yeah. In regards to your career and where you were happy to take it and where you were happy to finish it. So was it just a straight decision with no kind of regret that right I'm stepping out? I had six professional fights. I've matched you in twice. I realised that in my sixth fight, like the love of the sport and the way it was going, it was going from a hobby that I loved since I was a kid to a job

[00:15:39] to like, I fell out of love with it. The pressure, and it was all myself. I was putting pressure on myself, which I can't blame anybody else. I was putting pressure. I had expected to win ticket sales or sponsored by USN or sponsored by Luke or sponsored in there by Grenade. I had all these big sponsors and they wanted it. They didn't want it for me more than myself. But in my head, I'm like, I've got to keep this up for them to be interested, for me to look good online, for me to sell tickets, me to be marketable, me to get on a new matchroom show.

[00:16:08] Then you've got to fight. Then you've got to go through a whole camp. With all that in there, and over time that got to me at 23 years of age. So even the sixth fight, I had enough. Then I had my seventh. Then it kind of went on and on. And I thought I'm never going to fight again on my eighth fight. Then I had a phone call off. Johnny Pegg saying to my dad, I think French or someone pulled out. And you've got the opportunity to fight for a Midland title.

[00:16:36] It's at Villa Park against a lad that's undefeated or lost one in Nottingham. Knocked his last four opponents out. I'd never knocked no one out because I've fought journeymen. And as everybody knows in boxing, like to knock them out, it's harder to do. And you're just learning your rope. So I'd done an eight rounder against a Polish lad just before that. So I thought, it's my opportunity now to sign out of the sport if I win. And this is my opportunity to just give it my all.

[00:17:03] Whatever happens, I'm going to finish this sport. So that was it? Yeah. But I was in the challenge room with my dad just before Midland title. And my dad was like, you're done. Like, this is it. And as soon as he said that and we spoke about it, I had no worry. I had no... And it just proves the pressure that I built on myself was all because it was getting too much. And then, again, I was in the changing rooms and the reporter come up to me,

[00:17:33] Matt Bozap from Sky. And he was like, I just spoke to your opponent and he said he's going to finish it in the later round. I'm sitting there like, shit. I'm freaking... My nerves are going. He's just trying to knock me out in the later rounds. I'm like, fuck. Everyone does it. Everyone's in the changing room. They think, why am I doing this again? It's the night of time. Why am I doing this? And then, my dad says, I don't fucking listen to it. I'm like, you're going to get near this, like this, like that. I'm like, yeah, alright, sweet. Now, I'm just sweet. I'm just sweet.

[00:18:00] And then, luckily enough, I boxed really well and I knocked him down in the fifth, and then the sixth, and then finished it in the eighth. And that was it then. I broke down. I was like, this is me. Done. Not even... And they had offers to fight Joe Cordino and the Joshua Undercard. Not long after my Midland title. Because you're a champion, you're a Midland champion. It's the biggest area, British boxing board area in the country. So, you're ranked top five really, in and around that.

[00:18:28] So, they're going to have you fight Joe Cordino and feed you to the flipping walls. Do you know what I mean? And they'll flash, play big money, 13, 14 grand for a fucking six round, seven round, or eight round, or whatever it is. I said, no, don't want it. Don't want it. Offered me that big money. I said, no, don't want it. And that was it. And that was the best decision I ever made in my life. Did you get a counter offer then? And they're like, oh, we like your style. Yeah, go on then, we'll... Nah, go on. Just go... Just like... Best decision I ever made was finish boxing, Midland champion, undefeated,

[00:18:58] knocked him out in front of all the Blues lads at Villa Park. That was like, it was the best. Like, yeah, and... My drop. Because to be fair, because he didn't want it, you don't have to on that last... Yeah, so... Under half. I knew straight. Because actually, I hit him with a body shot at the same time he hit me with a body shot. And, erm... I remember him hitting me with a... And I thought, fuck, I'm fucked there. Like... Like, my lung, like, collapsed a little bit off. But he was down. And I was like... Just... I went to the...

[00:19:27] Watched the baby, I'm not that, I'm the fucking ropes. I'm like, don't fucking stand up. I beg you, don't forget. Because I thought... I've knocked him down two times before and I looked at him, I thought, don't get back up. Don't fucking get back up. He got back up. He got back up again. And I was like, don't get back up. And he didn't. And as soon as he went on this and shook his head through, I was like... Yeah! I was like, I'm going to be the other one. What's that feeling like? Ah, like... It's just a relief that I went through before that as well. I was having sleepless nights. I was getting up at flipping... Seven o'clock for work. Like, everyone has to work at that.

[00:19:57] Like, there's no box at. Like, everyone's small shows unless they've got a load of dough that doesn't have to work. It's like any type of sports person trying to make it in a sport where you have to work and earn to live. So, they're just holiday funds, boxing for it. But yeah, it was just like unbelievable. Just... Yeah. Just, it's done. Did you have... So, as you established as a plumber then and you... As I say, you weren't... You weren't going for boxing for the money. So, you were just like... Because it affected your work?

[00:20:26] You were turning up with black eyes of customers and sparring all... Never even got hit? No. Never even got hit? Wait, that's what you want then. That's what I left? That's what you want. That's what you want. My unique boxing career ever. Didn't have... No one laid a glove on you. You're totally champion. Yeah. Erm... So, yeah, I kind of... I was an apprentice from 16. Qualified at 19. Still doing through my boxing. And it gave me a chance to... I was still living at home. No pills. So, it was giving me a chance to... Erm... I used to go up to North.

[00:20:56] Because before my middle and tile, I was sparring Josh Warrington. I was sparring all these top lads. I used to blow all these lads to like... I'm one of them. Whatever I do in life. We're Frick's flipping. Paddle that I'm trying now. I'm trying to play against like the best you can... Just so I can be better. And I was sparring Josh Warrington. He was tough. He was great. Like great experience. I'm still good friends with Josh now. And erm... Erm... Yeah, just put you in good stead for the journey. Yeah, that's some calibre of opponent. And I think what was he like to spar? Just relentless, tough. Erm... Power wise, like...

[00:21:25] Obviously your sparring is completely different. But it's just relentless. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. And... He'd be cough. Cough ramps. And like all the top lads joke. Like he's boxed. I'll beat this Albee in the end. And... What a career. Do you know what I mean? What a career he's had. And the lovely kids from the North. And just top, top, top lad. How hard was it to erm... To make white generally? Er... Hard. There's no box out. So I kill grafting as well. So you... I imagine you die to grafters diet. Diet's the worst. Erm...

[00:21:55] Cause I used to go from 10 and a half stone down to 9 and a half stone 3. Erm... He's just sweat out like 9 or 10 pound. Everyone don't tell you that. Everyone's like, oh well... Yeah I'll do it right. Bollocks. Like... Everyone sweats out a lot. Do you know what I mean? Unless... You're that tannid. You don't need a medical weight and you just stay at the weight above. But... Everyone gets down. Do you know what I mean? Everyone that was like a skinny cracker that... How are you... How are you at that point in your camp where you're dropping the weight, how are you going to work and not getting hangry and dizzy and... You do. Yeah.

[00:22:25] Cause notoriously if you're on the road you're like, I'll snack and I'll stop at the services now. So you're not walking out and some customers going, weren't that part where it's meant to be straight? And you're like, yeah, no, I'm cutting my stuff. Honestly, it's hard like having a job like... And I think... I'm quite a positive person in life. And I think going through that as a kid like and running since I was eight on the roads, dieting, dieting at 12. I remember being like... It's mad and I didn't even know this was a thing, but I remember having a fruitcake

[00:22:55] at my nan's, being told I can't have it, which I knew I could know because I was in the championships. I actually go into the toilet and sicken the cake back up and telling no one because that's the only way I would know for a fact that that I get the taste, I love it and I sick it back up. So you've got the taste in no way. No way, done. I go back into the gym the next day and coach is like, sweet, I'm like, bang, that works. And then... But that's not like, believe me where he's like, oh, I want it to look like this. But no one told. I did not blame because I didn't know what other.

[00:23:24] But I used to think, sorts me out. Do you think that's quite a common, commonplace thing in kids? I've only started talking about that this last year because I thought I fucking know I used to do that. I used to make myself sick when I had a cake at my nan's, so I didn't use the fucking butt away on the next day. But I didn't know, my mom didn't know. I used to think, fuck it, sweet. It was a cheat code. It was a cheat code to box and have my weight down and also have nice food. But obviously as you get older, you need the nutrition. You need fuel in your muscles.

[00:23:53] I was, fuck it, you didn't know that as a kid. You just thought weight was the only thing that mattered. Yeah. Which as a kid, like... Did you find that when you did, so being from a boxing discipline family anyway. Like when we had Don Broaddus and he was saying, he struggled to cook. He's cutting nearly a stone. But he didn't have any kind of guidance with nutrition or anything from his management or his team. Does anyone... No. It's quite a nice thing, isn't it? Nutrition and stuff. Yeah. And that's why I was sponsored by USN. I'm one of the guys there, Carl.

[00:24:22] Great guy. And he set me up a plan to lose weight. Perfect. Food. Perfect. But the fuel I had in my body is not enough. It was like a weightlifting kind of diet where they're... They usually look after weightlifters and... But you got the fuel. And I always speak to people now. You... People have like... What? The girls have 1200 calories in their diet to try and lose weight. It's not enough. You need 16. As your body will hold on to the stuff. Yeah. When you do eat.

[00:24:52] It's counterproductive. Yeah, it's counterproductive. And people don't realise that. People are like, if you don't eat, then I'll be sweet. But then, as soon as you do eat, it holds on to everything. You know what I mean? Yeah. It's that fine balance. So I know a lot about that. And all my life I've done nutrition. It's mad really. So you know so much. Every boxer will know their body like that. Yeah. You spoke about the sleepless nights and the anxiety and stuff. And you publicly spoke about mental health. Yeah. Which is obviously just massive, isn't it? Yeah. What...

[00:25:22] What did you think it was important for you to come out as a... And talk about it? Yeah. So... I should say much light in my boxing, mental health. And it wasn't really a big thing then. Like, you're just like, I'm stressed. I'm just like... It's a lonely sport. We were old, wasn't it? So lonely. Like, no one's... I remember like, in the middle of the entire... Everyone goes out under piss after that. Just me and my dad, my lounge room. I'm pissing black. I was like, I'm plissing... I remember having a real dark wee.

[00:25:49] And I'm like, this is like, lots of doing. You know what I mean? And... What was the question? Just about your mental health. Yeah, so... But you spoke out about it. Yeah, yeah. So you just went and strived back to that. You have trouble striving back to that. That's all the polling. Yeah. But yeah, so... I didn't realise how bad it was then until you get older. Sadly, I lost my sister four years ago. And she'd taken her own life. And I always say now, like...

[00:26:19] If I didn't quit the sport the way I did... What journey would have gone down? And that I was going to the place of... Not a nice place to be. And you don't know how far you actually have to go to be that. Um, so... It's not nothing positive. But something that I've took away from her past and was realising like... I was so like... So blessed that I stepped away from the sport when I did because... My life's unbelievable. I love my life. And you never know. You go for English titles. You go for all these higher things.

[00:26:48] The pressure's more. The rewards are higher. But the losses are more. Look at Ricky Hatton. Look at people that are at that height. Look at Sam Higginsson. Now I've done all of it. He's going to send it over. And now he's retired. Like, ah... It's hard, man. And I didn't really want to get to that. I loved my job. I loved being a plumber. Like... Boxing was... A great stepping stone. For stuff that I'm doing now. I'm acting. So... Um, yeah. It's just... It made me realise that... Not all... Not everything in life is about sport.

[00:27:18] But it's nice and it's refreshing to hear again. Because... The amount of kids that will be training in that path at the moment. Where... Again, like you say, it's a lonely life at times for a boxer. Yeah. All your friends come and watch. They go on the piss. You're not on the piss with them. You fight. You get the shit kicked out of you. They all go into town and carry on on the piss. Yeah. You're left. Win, lose or draw. Yeah. So it's nice for kids to hear from someone that's been a champion. Yeah. It's alright to feel, you know... Yeah. And... One of the lads now. Uh...

[00:27:48] Braden Dyer. Shout out to Braden. He's like, from my local town. He's four nation champion. Done all... All you can as an amateur. As a young kid going into the seniors and stuff soon. So... Um... For him. It's just about enjoying it. Like honestly. It's just enjoyment. Because as soon as... As soon as I knew that enjoyment was gone. I had to leave. Like... It went from like... Why is doing what everyone was doing? Like enjoying it as a hobby. Soon as you get that pressure. And that building... It naturally comes. Like... You've got to love it and love it and love it. To get hit.

[00:28:17] And train. And have that much sacrifice. And when that drops, you've got to leave. That's what Don said, wasn't it? Because he was... He had such a poor performance on telly when. Exactly. He'd done the show. But all of a sudden the calls weren't coming to come back again. Yeah. But I feel sorry for Don. More than myself. I wasn't expected to do anything. Frankie... Frankie Gavin expected to do this. Don expected to do that. I wasn't expected to do it. I put my expectation on myself. Them lads that was unbelievable amateurs. If they're not world champions, they failed.

[00:28:48] It was at world level. It was at world level. Like... And I feel for them. Because they'll... They will sit back now and look and be like... If only I'd have done this. Only I'd have done that. As a young lad. You can't give a shit. But when you look back, it's regret if you don't. That's what we are doing. There he is. So... I was expected to do nothing. I turned professional to have one professional fight. Won... Back to Eddie Hearn twice. Met unbelievable people. Really good friends with a lot of people at the Birmingham City Football Club. Friends with a lot of people in hype and sports that I admire and now are my friends.

[00:29:19] I'm a plumber. See you later. Do you know what I mean? I enjoy my life. Yeah. It's a flip around isn't it? Because there's a lot... The lad that's... He's some European champion now isn't he? The electrician that got the shout to... Paddley. Yeah. Josh Paddley. And even the other one didn't he? He got the call. Do you want to fill in? He must love it. It's hard but like he's got to love it at that stage. Do you know what I mean? And there's money there. Do you know what I mean? He's gone straight into the money hasn't he? Yeah. So it's... And is it the end of the career?

[00:29:48] This is Lascaux. It doesn't matter how many avenues there are to get in at different times and you can just find yourself in that position but... Yeah. So on the flip side, well not the flip side but on the... So moving on then you talked about acting. So first of all how is that in comparison to getting punched in the face and training and 4am runs? Lovely. Do you know what? It gives me that sense of performance. It gives me that sense of performance without getting punched in the face. Like acting for me...

[00:30:18] It's got to be good not getting punched in the face have you? Well I've never got punched in the face anyway. I don't know are you? I don't know. Just inspiring. But... You probably get it more now than when you're a proctor fad. But yeah, just something that randomly came into my head where... Well I've done a commercial for Bet365, a boxing commercial. 3-1, Bray Winston, 3-1, next person. To get knocked out. Wait, the type of silhouette? Yeah, the silhouette type.

[00:30:47] And yeah I did that. I got paid well and I was like, you know, everything was like all my clothes are laid out. Everything was like this is a bit of me. Like I ain't going back to plumbing. Like and I'll tell anyone it was 2,500. I was there for the day. Done. I was thinking, I made it. This is it. Like it's easy. Like I can do boxing. I can do this. I can do commercials. Little did I know it's fucking really hard to do that all the time. Everyone else is thinking the same thing. Yeah. And I've done that 45 years ago. I ain't had a commercial since.

[00:31:17] But I'm in it. So let's ride it. So I joined Netflix acting for screen class in Birmingham. Esther Stanford, she's brilliant. Like if anyone's into acting that wants to get into it, Esther's brilliant. And yeah, I wanted to learn about the camera and commercial and stuff like that. And I kind of like didn't realize how hard it was. They gave me a script. I wanted to learn a script. I don't want to learn a script. I just want to do camera work, naive. And I just want to get paid for doing hardly anything. Because looking pretty on the camera and doing boxing. Done. It's not like that.

[00:31:46] And I went away. Broke down the script. Got told what I had to do. 12 weeks later, I fell in love with reading the script every week. Character breakdown. Being somebody I'm not. Being out of my purse and trying to like zone in. And I had a bit of savings. And I went out to New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. And done the intensive 10 day course there. Passed and really enjoyed it. And actually the agent that I wanted from Manchester. I applied for them before I went to America. Just as I started.

[00:32:16] And they were like, Well, what would you give me representation? You've got nothing to show. You've done one commercial. I was like, no. I said, okay. So I went away. Done that. Come back. Said I've done this course. I've acted now for six months. I'm really trying. I've got my show reel like any chance. And they pulled me in and said yeah. But they pulled me in as a commercial actor. Because I've got no acting background. And then yeah. Like a year later I had a call. A message from a friend Ward. There was a producer in London. He's a blues fan.

[00:32:46] One of his producer friends was being part of this film. And also Ian Dutton. Ian Dutton messaged me with this poster saying, There's this boxing film. Bjorn Franklin. His mom and dad used to sponsor the football club. I think. And was fans of the club. And knew Ian. And was like, I can put a word in. I don't think. I'm not sure if it'll help. But he's the director of a film. Blues fan. And that was that. And I didn't think anything would come out of it. And they said,

[00:33:15] We'd like to have you involved in some sort of way. But there's no major roles. But we'll try and get you in if we can. And next thing you know, it was a bare knuckle fighter. Yeah. And one of the main families. And just asked me to belong with it. And they had the likes of Shia LaBeouf in. And I was just like, It's like a dream. Dream start. And. What's LaBeouf like? Geezer. Is it Geezer? Proper. So respectful. Yeah. Once once. Respectful.

[00:33:45] Not a guy like to me. To everyone on set. Respectful. Great. But. He's been a superstar for years. As you can imagine. You can only naturally. See someone that's got a certain type of ego. In certain environments. Which. People driving cameras in his face all the time. He's a superstar now. Superstar. But like you said. On that one day. You're getting everything done for you. And everyone's. Oh. All over you. Yeah. He's been doing that for. Forever. 30 years. And then. So.

[00:34:14] When then people see him doing certain things. That's all he's used to. So when he's not getting that. It's like. Well. I should be. See what I mean. And then he gets. Classes. Egotistic. And that. But. He's not going to be the same. On the Joe blogs. He goes to the social club every night. Joe. It's different. But. Having Shilabee from Cole Frotch together. On set. At break time. Having lunch. The conversation. See it's Kebble as well. Yeah. Tobey Kebble. Yeah. Maincast. Yeah. He was in Rock and Roll there. Brilliant. Yeah.

[00:34:44] Brilliant. Brilliant. But yeah. So. You've got. All these big egos. Like. More for soccer as well. From this is England. He's just been on the cage. And something. Unbelievable. Act out. An even better guy. I still speak to him now. And he gives me advice. And like. Proper down to earth guy. So. So. It was a very family knit. Kind of. Down to earth. Set. Even from like. The director. The casting director. Was married to the director. Ashlyn. Like. Very much like.

[00:35:14] Yeah. Pen half Wales. Yeah. But. But. Going back to like. Frotch and Shire on set. You've got Frotch saying the earth is flat. And Shire's like. No it's not. Da da da da da. There's that much ego. That like. Not aggressive. But like. They're both very high ego. Oh is he. Is he an avid flat over is that? Who? Frotch. Frotch. Yeah. Oh yeah yeah yeah. Yeah. Frotch. Have a conversation with Frotch. And like. We've seen him down here once. And I give him an eye. A lot of audience thing. And he just. He started going off.

[00:35:43] And he could see everyone just going. Like. What? Just like. Half way through. People are like. And he's. But that. Do you know what. I'm freaking love Frotch. Like. Like. You're feeling of something. And Frotch will go. And like. Like.

[00:36:26] Have a conversation. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:36:56] But then. I've got a base in Wales. I've got a base in Wales. What I got paid. I then paid on an Airbnb. I've got a base in the Airbnb. I've got a base in the car.

[00:37:14] I've got a base in the car. Yeah. But the art director put out a thing saying. I only got this. A day. I had to do these many hours. Yeah. And then everyone's polled in. Basically. And this is how you get. Where you want to get you. Or do for the love. Yeah. And other people saying. But you still need to pay the bills. Yeah.

[00:37:42] So it's a mad thing in the arts isn't it? Yeah. More so in movies. Where. It's not a daily rate. It's not. Like you're a plumber. You don't even go and get 300 quid a day. Do whatever. It's not that is it? No. No. It's erm. There's a lot of riding on. So obviously there's a lot of controversy around Shire as well. With his personal life. And that stops production sometimes. Really? Yeah. It halts productions and sales. Certain Netflix won't work with certain people. Like not just Shire.

[00:38:11] Like I'm not just singling him out. There's loads of other people like. Of course. Yeah. You have a. Publicity in it. Yeah. If you have someone that's just done a film. And then six months later in they're in the news. After it's been shot. They didn't know it was happening. They've done this and it's going to look bad on the film. Netflix will say no. Paramount will say no. Apple will say no. Why? It fucked the whole production up. So you've. You have got to be careful of who. Who you're casting certain things because. But they sell the film. I was going to say. I suppose if they are behaving well though. You've got the.

[00:38:41] The notoriety. Yeah. So say I've got. The film gets made because they're in it. Yeah. But then potentially doesn't get released because they're in it. Well this is the thing yeah. Yeah. Erm. So there's a massive. But then if they're really like. Squeaky. Squeaky. Squeaky clean in life. Everyone's going to want them. So then you're going to struggle to get them. So to get them. You need someone that's a bit. Yeah. So no one uses them. But also. Hmm. I don't know where Tom Hardy was years ago weren't he? Well that was to be fair. So that was.

[00:39:12] What did you call it wasn't it? Gangs of London. What's the. What's the one on. That they're doing the second series of. Not Grandland. Mobland. Mobland yeah. Same thing weren't it. The sign that Dwight. He only does what he wants. When he wants whatever else. And apparently Helen Mirren wouldn't work with him. Yeah. Helen Mirren. I know about Helen Mirren. What's wrong with him? Like I said that. Tom Hardy is the best actor to ever work with. Ever everyone. Yeah. And like it just shows them characters bring out the most internal. The traumas they go through.

[00:39:42] The life experiences they have through life. Create the best actors. And. A lot of kids that come through drama school now. Wouldn't have had the life experiences I've had. Yeah. I can tap into different things that they can't. And. And I think it's going on to now that I'd like to touch on it. It's like working class actors coming through. Yeah. It's. It's a massive thing to have working class actors coming through. And not just from drama school. And I'll support working class actors till. Till the end like. It's quite elitist though isn't it? I think. Yeah. I think with.

[00:40:12] So. With drama schools. Pauline Quirk Academy. Notoriously. Very good. Very expensive. Yeah. Drama schools like that. Unless you are. So a couple of my mates and I've dabbled into film and stuff. It's. It's. To get those kids. You. To do their show reels sometimes. Yeah. That's the way forward isn't it? To get the show reels out there. It doesn't necessarily have to be that you have been to drama school. No. Definitely not. And.

[00:40:42] Everything I've done through my boxing. Got me that role. Yeah. Whatever you're doing now. Is going to put you in good stage. For ten years time. And. Kids. Any kids that are watching it. Need to realise whatever you're doing now. Is for the future. And for. For. Everything I'm doing in acting now. Is for four years time. Five years time. Six years time. Ten years time. When. I'm going to have more experience. Then opportunities come. I'll be ready. Like everything that I was doing for my boxing. Without knowing.

[00:41:11] Is helping me now. Through. Knowing people to be in a film. To do this. And then now I've got them contacts. Everything from them. Is going to be put me in good. For like years. Of course. And that's how it works. Over time. And nothing's overnight. Because if you get an opportunity now. That you're ready for in four years. You never get. They're going to look at you. And not give you the opportunity. And be like right. He's not ready. And then. That opportunity. And that contact. Will be gone forever. Yeah. So he's got to be at the right time. We see it now. With the new people that are coming for that. Martin Ford.

[00:41:40] He's just gone boom hasn't he. Because of. Of what he's been in. I mean yeah. But like again. Like. I'll be honest. He's been putting it in over the years though. You see. I've been putting it in over the years. But like. Not many people speak great of Martin Ford. And. And it's how you treat people. Do you know. And. Yeah. There's a lot of people I know. That I've spoken to Martin Ford. And. Not being that like. Felt like he was nice to them in certain ways. And. I know a lot of people that know him. And I've reached out. And just blanked it.

[00:42:11] And I was starting acting. And I messaged him. I was starting acting. Any tips. Any this. And read it off. Didn't even reply. He knows me. He knows certain people. Like. I'll never be that. Do you know what I mean. Just be good to people. And hope it comes back around. Yeah. And. It helps that he's six foot flipping twenty. Yeah. Yeah. And he's like this present. So he doesn't need to do it. But. I don't want to be a good person. You meet people on the way up. But on the back on the way down. Yeah. It's that little saying kind of thing. But. It's. It's going back. So. How far are you away from Peaky Blinders?

[00:42:42] Er. That's the question. Or no. Did you get. Did you get. A call to be invited along for auditions. Or is it a little bit kind of. No. No. Look. So. Er. Er. I've got an agent in Manchester. Er. You've got the look man. You know what. Everyone says this. But I've never been picked up for it. And this is. One thing that. I've never met Stephen Knight. Er. I should do really with him. I have people that know him. I've never. I've never met him. I'd love to be involved with. With Stephen's project. Especially coming into Birmingham. Er. Sheheen Baig. The casting director. Er. For Peaky's. And works closely with.

[00:43:13] Er. With Stephen Knight. She's from Birmingham. And I've never met them both. Then you've got a thousand blows. That he wrote. Yeah. With Stephen Graham in. That's a boxing film. Didn't even get. Looked at. So. You're. Unless you're seen. Yeah. You can't get anything. And I'm a boxer. I'm from Birmingham. And I've never been seen for any fight or boxing thing. Through the avenue. And it's mad. They go to London. You're gonna. Hopefully yeah. Stephen watches every episode.

[00:43:42] My daughter does the. Thing at Grice Academy. Yeah. Not Grice. John. Henry Newman. Yeah. The school. Yeah. It's not Grice Shaw anymore. He's at all money. John Henry Newman. Yeah. But even like dealing with them. It's okay. The mention is something coming up. Um. Okay. Yeah. They're gonna put a name forward. Yeah. Something the other week. But then you don't hear it back. So then I'll drop one then. Oh I'm just. Uh chasing up. I don't know anything. Yeah. Yeah. No no. They'd have been in touch. You don't even get like an email. Thank you for your.

[00:44:11] I ride. 120 emails a year. To get some audiences. Can we get two free revises? Hmm. That's fine. Because. I narrow this down. Because. Not for mental health. Because I'm fine. But. For your. Mental state as an actor. I've got an email tracker. That tracks the emails. And tells me if they've opened it. Yeah. If they've clicked my social media links. If they've clicked my spotlight. Which is like the engine where you put all your. Your acting stuff on for them to see. If they've seen it. And they've clicked on it. That's enough for me. Yeah.

[00:44:41] They've seen me. If they wanted to contact me. They would. If not then. They haven't. That's fine. You have to have an element of. What will be. What's main for you. So. Um. It's a matter of fact. Like. If you're right for it. You're right. If you're not. You're not. Um. Same with that boxing film. I was in. I was right for it. I played a. A travelling bare knuckle fighter. I kind of got that look. There's no better person for that look. And. There is. But I was in the right place. At the right time.

[00:45:11] Certain people who. Respect me. And like me. Put me forward. And kind of. Give me that opportunity. I'm grateful for that. And. Something could happen like that. Again. In the future. But for now. It's like. Jump back on the horse. And just keep plugging away. Yeah. And you've gone there. And you've been saying. You've probably heard the same. Where they just get the.

[00:45:40] People who audition in the light. Let's just half that straight away. They're gone. Then one one. Because there's that many. You need good casting directors. Because that's a dying art as well. Because it's a long. Monotonous. Kind of. Laborious task. Of going through people. To auditions. I genuinely think there's also. With. With acting. There's a. There's a thing of. If you've got a project. I don't know if. You know of like. Different agents. But the biggest agents in the country. Curtis Brown. I would say. Independent.

[00:46:10] If you've got a project. Then. Obviously they have to be good. But if you've got. Four actors. That are all really good. And on your rap sheet. You're going to put this profile. You're going to put this film. To. Get funded. By a big production. Netflix. And you've got. Four actors. One actor that's. All actors. Unbelievably talented. It's going to look better on your sheet. If you've got someone from independent. Than someone. As an agent. Who doesn't. He isn't seen. Is that how it works. Yeah. Well. You know.

[00:46:40] It gets funded. It looks better. Yeah. It's a package. It's got to look good. Yeah. And that's from boxing. Selling tickets. With your kit. With your social media. With everything. That's like. All the glist and glam. To portray yourself. Not something that you're not. But you've got to fake it. So you make it. Within a reason. And I think that's in any industry. Not just acting. But. With me now. With my. With my social media. I used to put. Photos on years ago. On holiday. This that. It's my CV.

[00:47:09] Speak to. With you guys. To show who I am. As a person. And that all puts. Jigsaw puzzles into. I'll create a full picture. Right in a circle. And I think that's. That's what. Really social media. Should be useful. These days. To help you push on. To people to understand you. In that industry. Yeah. How to find. South types. Fine. Yeah. Just. They've gone mental. Since lockdown. I don't know. But. It's great. But. It's so much better for me. Because I'm Midlands. It's great. London. Like.

[00:47:39] I've gone for casting in London. Drove two hours. Bitter biscuit. Looked into the distance. And. It's a nice biscuit. For a commercial. Thank you. Yeah. No problem. Out. Back to the home. Literally that. A bit. I remember having a biscuit. Can you stand on. Can you stand on the mark. Yes. No problem. Thanks Charlie. Tell me your age. Your name. Your agent. Yeah. When you pick that biscuit. To the side. Like you're looking out to the seaside. Bite your biscuit. Look round. And go. Perfect. It's great.

[00:48:09] Thank you. Thank you for that. Straight home. Was there a nice biscuit? Two out of my. Shit. Weren't there been a biscuit. You would pretend. Oh. Do you know what I mean. So like. I'm grateful for self-tapes. Because. I've done so many. I've auditioned because I'm great. I'm thankful for some great auditions recently. And I just do it in my room. But then. You would get to 100 people. Instead of 20 in the room. Yeah. So there's more to pick from. I think from a casting point of view. It's probably easier to. Instantly switch your eye on. And within 10 seconds. I think you'd probably know. When you're out.

[00:48:39] Or you'd be like shortest. Yeah.

[00:49:09] Yeah. But don't want to be seen. Yeah. And I think. I think that's backwards for me. It's like. If you're an actor. And you're on camera. People should know about you. Yeah. Yeah. They don't like to promote. They don't like to market. I think that's come from a boxing background. And again. It's. What I did with all the boxing. It's put me in grave stead for my acting. Because. Now I can promote myself as an actor. Exactly how I did as a boxer. And. That's how I got that role. Yeah. If I didn't put myself out there. Like I did. I wouldn't have got it. Yeah. You can't be an introvert. You've literally got to. You've got to.

[00:49:38] Selfie all the products. Yeah. But you go back to what you said earlier. There are actors that are introverts. That can't actually be themselves. Yeah. And talk about themselves. And I'm great and stuff. But you put a script in front of them. And they're unbelievable. Yeah. Look at Kelly Murphy. Yeah. Prime example. Doesn't want to be on any socials. Any anywhere. Unbelievable actor. But then. I'm nowhere near as a fan. So it's like. I need to do. That side. Yeah. To then get on. Yeah. To that side. So. Everyone's got different journeys.

[00:50:08] Everyone's different. That's how the world works. What's the dream? The dream. Those short term tournaments. Yeah. What would be an ideal role for you. And Peaky Blinders would be amazing. Incredible to be involved in Peaky Blinders. I'd like to be seen more by Jean Bay. Who's from Birmingham. For auditions. I've never been seen by her. I've been seen by the biggest casting officers in the country. For smaller roles and different things. And not her. So. I would love to be seen. Because that's the next step. You be seen by them. If you're not right for it.

[00:50:37] Win the room. And not the role. That's what I always say. Like. You get put in front of these offices. You win the role. And not the room. Because if you're not right for that. It's fine. As long as you're a good person. As long as you. Can do the job that I ask. Break down the script. And perform it. How you truthfully feel it is. They'll pull you in again. If they think you're right for something else. You keep doing that. And over time. Five years time. They're like. Won't even get you to tape. That's him. That's him.

[00:51:07] 12 months. I want to be. Saying peaks. And different things like that. But. You just want to be around good people in the industry. And push on. And that. That then. You get rewarded for. Being a good person. And being around it. Do you know. Do you know. Kevin McDonough. I'll put you in touch with Kevin McDonough. He's one of my friends. He's like a director. He's directed a few feature films. Do you know. Damien Gallagher. I don't know. So there's a few names. Yeah. And they're just doing the same thing. And like you say. Scott Atkins as well. Do you know.

[00:51:37] He's done Avengement. He had the teeth in Avengement. With the prison. It's a good film that. There's so many like. Yeah. So they're midlands. But he's moved to LA now. But literally just in the right place. At the right time. And like you say. A role comes up. Yeah. Yeah. And Birmingham stick together. And this is what. We love about Birmingham. Whether you're outside the world. Do you know what I mean. It's like. Yeah. That's how it got in this film. Blues and blues. Yeah. So yes. They were not. And again. Yeah.

[00:52:07] And again it's what we were doing. Celebrating people who were from Birmingham. So we were shouting. Yeah. And trying to get it across. And yeah. Shout about the region really. And what I love about. Um. Steven and what they're doing. It's like. They're bringing it back to Birmingham. Yeah. It's not like anyone else. We are. London, London, London. They're bringing it back to Birmingham. And um. A massive thing that. Blues in with the ground. And Steven and everyone that's involved. They're bringing things back to Birmingham. We had the budget. The art cuts from Birmingham. Like before.

[00:52:37] Like. We need. The creative arts to come back to Birmingham. And Steven and I was helping that. So to be involved in that would be a dream to be. Not even. I don't even want to make Steven to be like. Oh. Give me a role. Cause it's not about that. It's. I'd love to be involved. Maybe in a project with Steven Knight. And people that are around him. And they want to see. To um. Give a foundation for working class actors. Full start. He's been vocal about that himself. Hasn't he. It's definitely. It's definitely be like a.

[00:53:07] A pathway and a conversation there. Cause like you said. With the rejuvenation of. Birmingham. With. The lock studios. And like I say. The irony that they cut arts. But then they all fawn over Steven. Then because all of a sudden. He's brought all this money in from Peaky Blinders. Is a little bit ironic. But yeah. It should definitely be. A conversation around. How you've got this beautiful big city. Full of people. Yeah. It's like actors. And it only takes a few influential people. Within that industry. To like be involved. Four or five people. To create. Yeah. Open doors. For kids that haven't got money.

[00:53:37] That disadvantaged backgrounds in Birmingham. Like. There's a lot of that. And. Kids aren't. They don't feel like they've got a pathway in acting. Because. It feels like it's a drama school type of thing to do. Like. And it's not. Um. So if Steven can. Can bring that to Birmingham. I'd happily. Help them be involved in something. That. That brings stuff for kids. It's. It's great. It's a night head of doing down here. To be in Birmingham. I think at the moment. Macbeth. Macbeth.

[00:54:06] Tread the boards. You what? Sorry. Tread the boards. Do you know what he says? I swear to Toby Kebbell about this on set. And he said. Charlie. Get into theatre. Get into theatre. Um. I live over the back end. Do a strapped up in heaven. Around that way. Um. Now. And. There's not much going on like. Classes and stuff like that. I'd like to get involved a little bit. Yeah. But. Probably more stage work. Where it's. Not so much Shakespeare. I learned Shakespeare in LA. When I did a bit of that. Like. It's just not.

[00:54:35] You can pick up some tools from learning it. To then put into screen acting and stuff. But. Um. Yeah. I think I would. If the writing can come along. Um. I'd like to get into. Yeah. I've seen some great theatre performances. That aren't like that. But. Aren't Shakespeare. I was sure. It's Mamma Mia the musical. The other night. My door. Of course. And it was absolutely brilliant. But they're all brilliant. Mm. All these theatres that you go to. You say. Oh my God. It's actually fucking really good. I don't go enough. Yeah. That's what I've seen as having you cute. But I'm probably. That's. Just something like that.

[00:55:05] Yeah. But. Yeah. Again. It's going to be right for you. Hasn't it? It's got to be right for me. And if someone comes up. They're like. Well. Why not. Go and have a look at it. Yes. It depends. Yeah. You never know what angle. What direction it's going to take you in. In action. And that's what. You never know. I always speak to. Look. Robbo. Paul Robinson. I'm really close with Robbo and his missus. And the family. And close friends. She always says to me. Caroline. Like. You never know who you're going to meet. We all say to each other. It's like a web. She talks about the web.

[00:55:35] It's like. You meet someone there. And like. Someone knows or someone. Like. Be good to people. Put it out there to the universe. And it comes back around. And you just. You never know who you're going to meet. And there's a beautiful thing. To. You can go one way. I don't know who I'm going to meet. I'm never going to get. I don't know. Or. I don't know who I'm going to meet. I can't wait to. You get excited about it. Yeah. There's. There's. There's two different ways to look at everything. Yeah. So if you can put that out there to the universe. To be positive. It's like. You never know this. Well who'd have thought the guy who was doing that Pepto Bismol advert. Yeah. Diary.

[00:56:06] You know what I mean. Mom have made it. You know what I mean. He's. That's probably. He's probably one of the most famous adverts. Or you. Was he in a podcast. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Made it. Yes. So just. Just wrapping up there. Yeah. Unless you've got some. Anything else. Do you want to ask. No. So. So when people look back and they. They look back at your story from the boxing and the acting stuff. What kind of. What. I know you've spoke about it.

[00:56:32] But what would you like to portray that people know you as and in and around kind of your personality. Um. Just a good person. Do you know as I've grown up. I've. I've seen so many people in all different industries. Um. Push agendas and try and be like. Like you can just. People skills just ain't got it in there. You can. You can. As long as people look back at me and be like. Like. Yeah. He's a good kid. He's fucking sound. He's loyal. And. I'd have anybody out if they ever needed it. Like anything. Do you know what I mean. And.

[00:57:02] As long as you're a good person and. And. You do good for people. That's all I'm bothered about. And. If I'm known for my sport. I can help people. Do you know what. I like to help people. If. Anything can act in like. If someone's struggling or. Even messaged my social media. There's always advice on the table. And like. I'm good at giving advice. Sometimes I'm not good at giving it myself. But. Like. If you can help. Someone one percent. Like. It. It's great. Like. Here's a question then. Just. Off the. Off the. Scripts. So. Your profile rises. Yeah.

[00:57:32] Say. You do get like a peaky blind. Or something establishes you. Yeah. And then misfits come because. You've got this profile name. Yeah. You know it'll be mean for me that way. Would you ever put the gloves back on and go and. Fill him one of these. You know what like. I just know. It's not my passion. I've done it. I've done boxing to death. I've done since I was eight. Until 23. Like. That's a long time. And. And the lads of. The lads that I grew up with doing it. Are still doing it now. Fucking no. I've done a love island kid for. Skies everywhere. Yeah.

[00:58:01] I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I really don't want to. Do you know what I mean like. We can get this to man's style. I mean. Yeah. We've had a couple of the girls on. Really? Yeah. Okay man. Well I might just raise it and not splatter them all but. I'd rather splatter someone on set. Yeah. But my passion and like. How I am now. I suppose my passion is like. Acting and to be on set. And really enjoy. Loving what I do. And again. It.

[00:58:31] It's a hobby because it's not a job. Whether. That changes as it becomes a job. I don't know. Same as my boy. I didn't know but. You've got to go through these things. That's what I want to do. That's what my passion is. It keeps me focused. Away from a work. When it needs to be. And acting. And work. Keeps me focused. Away from acting. So it's like. It works really well that I've got. That going on. And that going on. And I'm quite a H.C. Where. I need a lot of stuff going on. So. Yeah. I feel like. Boxing. Was great for them.

[00:59:01] And. It helped. It was a time. Yeah. It was a chapter where. A lot of people. Are scared to let go of chapters. Because they're like. That's it done. I forgot. Fucking. Hundreds of chapters in our life. Like. You'll know yourselves. There's life. You'll do. In one chapter. You won't be as good as you are. In this chapter. And like. It's okay. And you've got to accept that. Things go. Relationships. Friendships. Jobs. Sports. Like. What you were doing at 16. Is not what you're doing now. But you're doing podcasts. You'd never dreamed of doing that. When you were younger.

[00:59:31] And I feel like. It's okay to. Realise that. Whatever you want to do. In that moment. Doesn't necessarily mean. You're going to do it. Do you find it easy. Friends. Family. A ranger. You're like. Right. I want to do this now. And be active. Never disrespect to anyone. Never. Give it loads.

[01:00:01] Egotistic. Never like. I'm the best. I'm this. I'm never that. But people don't like to see it. Until you're doing well. Then they start to then recognise. Oh. He's not stopping. So we might as well support him. And this is what happened. It's a weird thing. It's a weird thing. Like. People don't. People don't support you. Unless you're doing well. And. When I went. I think. By the time. I started acting. People had seen me. I'd done my acting. I'd done my boxing. Then I passed my pilot licence. I got pilot licence.

[01:00:31] I'm all doing something. I'm always doing something. I try to create brands. Try to do this. To the time my acting come. People would probably like. Fuck me. And he's just done a little thing. And accepted it. Because that's how I am as a person. And. People probably didn't really support. But then. When my film come out. And like. You're trying to do this. Trying to do that. People realise. Oh. He's not fucking about again. He's doing it. And. I think just. That's. If I'd listened to everybody's opinions. I'd have done absolutely nothing. And. Follow your passion. And don't listen to fucking anyone. Follow your passion. And fucking. Blink as I'm like.

[01:01:00] You're in flipping horses. Like. That's one advice. I'd say. Do it. Just go and do it. Because it's. Sort of. Hmm. Classic. Thanks for your time man. Ah sorry. Cheers mate. Thank you. Thanks for your time. Thanks for your time.