The Sun, 16 February 2002, by Jon Peake.
"Boys and their toys."
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Nigel Havers plays a 40-something man who's not ready to 
grow up.

*Manchild* Tuesday BBC2 NEW

Getting a motorbike, having your ear pierced and taking a 
younger lover used to be called a mid-life crisis. These 
days, it's more politely termed middle-youth. Whatever you 
call it, the syndrome is explored in a new seven-part comedy 
drama, *Manchild*, about four 40-something men growing older 
disgracefully.

Nigel Havers is Terry, Ray Burdis is Gary, Don Warrington is 
Patrick and Anthony Head is James.

Now that they've reached a certain age and money is no 
object, they can enjoy the things they've always wanted, and 
reject commitment and fatherhood for a return to adolescence.

"The idea of four blokes of a certain age getting up to some 
of the things they do but who are still dominated by the 
women in their lives is very refreshing," says 49-year-old 
Nigel. "It's a great series, and something we've not seen on 
British TV before."

Terry and co. all grew up together in London, and now the 
schoolpals find themselves at a crossroads in their lives.

Patrick has never maried but is very wealthy, Gary is 
married - to the awful Cheryl (Lindsey Coulson) - James is 
horrified when he fails to satisfy a 23-year-old woman in 
bed, and Terry has left his wife Christine (Christine 
Kavanagh), bought a motorbike and got himself a young lover, 
Sonja (Melanie Gutteridge).

"Now Terry's finally left his wife, he doesn't know how to 
operate," says Nigel. "He's at a time when he's got all this 
cash and he should be enjoying it. But he doesn't know how 
to be his age. He's got this bike, a BMW, but even that's 
known as an old codgers' bike."

And with a son, Justin (Will Adamsdale), in his 20s, there's 
competition for dates.

"His son actually goes off with Terry's girlfriend," Nigel 
reveals. "Terry says he doesn't mind but secretly he's 
devastated. It's not that he's having a crisis - he just 
doesn't want to get old."

Nigel confesses he understands where Terry's coming from.

"I still go around thinking I'm 35," laughs the actor, who 
lives in west London with his second wife Polly.

"Polly is furious with me at the moment and says I'm acting 
like a bloody manchild - my jeans are too tight and my cars 
are too fast."

But for someone pushing 50, Nigel is in remarkably good 
shape, which is just as well considering he spends a lot of 
time in the drama with his kit off.

"I had to get in shape - we all did," he admits. "Don 
Warrington is incredible. There's one episode where he's 
wearing nothing but a pair of fishing waders! We made sure 
we all looked our best."



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