Liverpool Echo from Liverpool, Merseyside, England • 17

by Peter Grant become! used ie because The Chinese Detective never beat up anyone, and they wanted me to be harder and use Kung Fu. "And 18 months ago 1 was doing a film in Hong Kong and was told that the Triads ran the crew." banners and had people cooking on the streets. Producer Gina Cronk told the ECHO: "We started one Friday evening and were gone by the time all the city financiers returned to work on Monday morn-, ing. I'm sure sure they would have been amazed if they'd known what had been going on outside their offices." And he adds, with a smile: "I'm not a great believer in looking for trouble so I didn't go out and try and get to know the Triads I just relied on the script." But filming did involve recreating Chinatown in London commercial district. The crew dressed buildings with Chinese neon lights and long Liverpool-born David, 44, enjoyed success in Brookside as family man Dr Michael Choi, but he has also made his name in some real box office blockbusters.

But many people still remember him as Dt Sgt Johnny Ho. Says David:" Even though it's nearly 15 years since Chinese Detective, I'm still recognised for it. "But I'm not complaining because I've worked with Steven Spielberg in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and appeared in the Bond movie A View To A But there is also an extra bonus for the likeable lad from Liverpool. He'laughs: "I always get good service in Chinese restuarants." Thief Takers ITV, February 22: Lie Down With the Dragons. Liverpool Echo, Monday, February 12, 1996 11 ow am fl SOAPS UP-DATE NEIGHBOURS (BBC 1): Sam is CORONATION STREET (ITV): over the moon when Annalise There's an old pal of Vera's back with suggests they start looking for a house some advice spooky.

they can share together. EASTENDERS (BBC 1): Steve's HOME AND AWAY (ITV): A becoming increasingly worried for mysterious American girl arrives in Lydia's safety and is forced to take town to make waves. drastic action. i li i le 111 It I i 4 LIVERPOOL WO- ECHO top TV quid, Aw by Peter placid David Yip makes way for a Triad terror ova WIL Ruby Wax Meets Goodbye Roseanne (BBC 1) EEEK! The female equivalent of cartoon big gob Foghom Leghorn doubled. And on the same programme.

A case of turn-down-the-volume-and- out-with-the-earplugs was the initial A. reaction. But Ruby, with the leering chops to and the intrusive whine, has always held a I A xi- .44 horrible fascination. And when coupled with Roseanne's whinging self-obsession, it's a recipe for compulsive TV. This week Ruby donned her Loyd Grossman hat and went walkabout around the Barr mansion, the waddling A Roseanne in tow and more than eager to bare her soul about the outside pressures that transformed her, in alternate stages, into a blimp, a lady of the night, a ballet nice guy dancer, a nutter etc.

of this spilled out as Roseanne po ntificated on her favourite tents, dolls and, of course, food. Finally, we were taken to the bathroom where Wax concluded the interview, with typically bizarre aplomb the tub, wearing a wedding head-dress, and with ORGET his Mr Nice Guy image. David Yip Is her arm draped amiably around the Barr caning nasty but only on the box. maid. 1110 The former star of the Chinese Detective and "I like being funny," says the latter rookside becomes a Triad gangster in a without a hint of irony as to whether she )rthcoming two-part special of the Thief meant funny 'Har! or otherwise.

akers. Two mad harridans together but It's quite a change for the softly-spoken actor 4- -( surprisingly likeable all the same. ho plays Jimmy Mak. Ballykissangel (BBC 1) Mak is the leader of London's Triads, whose 3sition is threatened by the arrival of a 11414 FROM Keiran Prendiville, the creator of ithless rival gang in Carlton's all-action Roughnecks, comes this rather amiable iventure series. a clerical alternative to Says David: "Mak doesn't look evil but he that other Celtic man in uniform series, Hamish Macbeth.

lughter wedding. psychoticc after the Big Circle raids his With Ireland's beautiful County Wicklow "Although he's a gangster, he has a code of as the backdrop, Father Peter Clifford has arrived from Manchester to be the new and start blowing people away. mour, and he's outraged when his rivals turn Changed priest for the remote village of person Ballykissangel. "I'm usually seen in sensitive, quiet roles or I aying rich Chinese who went to Eton and David Yip The expected shennanigans occur, with xford, so it's quite a departure for me to play takes on a the locals trying to pull a fast one over ie uneducated Mak. new role the holy limey.

"I hope Thief Takers will make people realise of a Triad But it's the relationship develoing do these roles too." gangster between Clifford and the lovely col leen But David, brother of charity boss Stephen In a Thief Assumpta that seems guaranteed to hold ip of KIND, was in no hurry to spend time Takers' the viewers in coming weeks. i searching with the REAL Triads. 1 two-part A Thorn Birds-style scenario seems inevitable. special MIKE CHAPPLE He says: "The Triads ed to complain to me by CM YOUR WINDOW 5 A FRESH LOOK OUR EXCELLENT RANGE OF 1 AU mr 'SIN 0 lE- by Kestrel, Swish, etc. 1-41iiirp, 1..1 ft I 4 hil 6- (if 1,1 Ca; tromallitt.

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