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Peter Christian plays the part of lorry driver Frank Rogers in Channel Four's popular soap, Brookside. CM went along to the Liverpool set to meet Britain's most famous fictional trucker.
• Peter Christian is one of the most famous truckers in Britain. To soap opera fans he is Frank Rogers, resident lorry driver of Brookside Close.
Four days a week the dramas of the Close and the Rogers household are flashed across the nation's TV screens. Brookside is one of Channel Four's biggest successes. For the uninitiated, Frank Rogers is the good-guy family man, caught between long-distance hauls and his family responsibilities — a situation all too familiar to many in the industry.
Christian is no stranger to road transport parts. Ile has been playing Frank Rogers for almost four years. During that time, the character has been a drivers' shop steward, a transport manager and has even helped to set up a lorry drivers' co-operative which failed. Currently the character is transporting long-distance loads to Eastern Europe.
HOT HEADED
Before /3rookstde, Christian acted in a BBC series called Truckers. He played 'Horse', "a hot-headed driver who would always go straight to the boss if his pay was not there on the right day", says Christian.
Although the programme got a lot of public support, it was only destined to run for one series. "A shame," says Christian. "It had the potential for some great story lines."
The Liverpool-born actor does not have to rely on TV researchers and directors for his road transport knowledge when playing such parts. Many viewers may be surprised to discover that Christian used to work on Liverpool docks driving HGVs. As he was always driving on private property, Christian says he never had to take his HGV driving test, but the experience gave him a taste of the transport industry. As well as driving he met hundreds of drivers and operators passing in and out of the docks.
Christian's acting career started when his cousin asked for some help with an amateur dramatics production being staged by the Liverpool-based David Lewis Theatre Group. Although he was there to help construct the sets and paint the scenery, Christian soon got landed with a part.
Acting immediately caught his imagination and he soon began appearing regularly in amateur plays round the area. Eventually this enthusiasm led to his first professional part. "I played a gentleman walking across the quayside with a bag. This lad comes up to me and asks to carry my bag. My first professional line, and the only one in that play was 'Go away boy'. That was it," says Christian.
"I also had to wear this huge hat. I remember thinking if only my mates from the docks could see me now."
CAREER BLOSSOMED
After that part his acting career blossomed. Soon he was appearing in wellknown theatre productions such as Look Back in Anger and Blood Brothers. TV roles followed including Give us a Break and an appearance in Boys from the Blackstuff. Then Truckers came along.
Christian enjoys his role as lorry driver Frank Rogers in Brookside. If his character is prominent in the story line, Christian can spend three days a week shooting on location — usually an up and running transport yard somewhere in Liverpool.
And he is regularly recognised off the Brookside set. When walking along the street, Christian often gets a toot, a wave or a thumbs-up from passing lorry drivers.
He is full of respect for truck drivers and the tough life they are often forced to lead. "I have a lot of admiration for them. Always leaving for destinations and having to get there on time must be very hard going. And having to say goodbye to your family again and again — it must be very hard getting used to that." ID by Tanya Cordrey He turned, realising calmly that it hadn't been a dream after all. His great, great grandfather, still looking like an extra from a bad zombie movie, no longer seemed frightening. In fact his voice was gentle as he leaned down from his high wooden seat and extended that clawlike hand.
"No", screamed Benny. "I'll be good — I promise I will change. Just give me a second chance."
The clawlike hand withdrew and the founder of Scrooge Haulage disappeared. Benny blinked — and catight sight of the horse shoe imprints still fresh in the snow. He shuddered at the grim reminder of what could have been.
The children peered round the back of the truck, sniggering. As Benny caught sight of them they all turned to run away.
"Stop," boomed Benny. They froze, expecting another mouthful of abuse. Benny's tone softened: "I only wanted to say Merry Christmas, I'm sorry I shouted before and yes, I would like a humbug, please."
The children crept suspiciously forward. However, they soon relaxed as Benny tucked into the Humbugs while cracking jokes. After a while, Benny dipped into his grubby pockets and pulled out a hand ful of change. "Here," he said with a beam, "get yourselves more sweets."
ALLS WELL...
The children trotted off and Benny immediately set about cleaning his wagon which had not seen any elbow grease for many years. He gave it a good wash down and a polish. "You know," he whispered to the trusty vehicle as he guiltily looked at where he kicked it earlier: "I promise when we get home all these scrapes and bumps will be sorted out."
Once the wagon was gleaming, Benny strolled over to the truckstop which had opened on Christmas morning for drivers like Benny. As he lumbered in, the woman behind the counter grimaced and shouted to the chef "single egg on toast".
"A very Merry Christmas," said Benny smiling. "Actually, I could do with a real fry-up. After all, it is Christmas." The stunned look had not left her face before Benny planted a rather grimy kiss on her cheek and he wandered off, plate in hand singing God Rest Ye Mem Gentlemen. He strolled back to the wagon. Although he had one delivery left, he decided to get it over with as quickly as possible to try and surprise his family.
When his work was finally finished Benny stopped off for some diesel.
As he walked into the filling station to pay for his fuel, he suddenly had a brainwave. "Good day," he boomed at the checkout lad. "I want to buy all your boxes of chocolates." "All of them?" queried the lad. "Yes all," said Benny. Once he had paid, he handed a huge box of sweets to the young lad. "Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas — I am."
Back at the Scrooge household, the family were gathered round the tree opening their presents. Clutching his third or fourth drink, George Scrooge grasped hs wife's hand and raised his glass. "Here's to Benny wherever he may be."
"I wish he had decided to stay here with us today," said Benny's mother looking mournfully down at her glass.
Suddenly they heard the heavy rumble of Benny's wagon. The family looked at each other. Suddenly the door burst open and in rushed Benny with boxes of chocolates cradled in his arms. "Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas — and a happy new year to all," he said beaming.
In the stunned silence that followed George Scrooge's voice could be clearly heard: "Bloody hell, what's up with you?"