Fireworks frighten pets, actors warn - Nov 2 2007
Actors Bill Nighy and David Schneider are starring in a new advert to warn people of the distress fireworks can cause to their pets.

In the radio advert, David, who appeared in Mission: Impossible, is heard struggling as he pretends to put earplugs in a cat's ears in a misguided attempt to protect it from firework noise.

Love Actually star Bill points out that trying to fit animals with earplugs is stupid and instead asks listeners to text the RSPCA for better advice on how to help animals.

He said: "I'm delighted to support the RSPCA's fireworks campaign and I hope the ad will help remind people that fireworks frighten thousands of pets.

"This is a huge problem and I hope everyone will do what they can to help. The best thing people can do is go to an organised public display instead of holding their own at home - and encourage the organisers to use lower-noise fireworks.

Andy Foxcroft, chief officer for the RSPCA inspectorate, said fireworks can cause a great deal of pain and anxiety to animals because their hearing is far more sensitive than ours.

He said: "Fireworks don't have to be loud to be impressive - most people enjoy the visual display as much, if not more, than the huge bangs.

"We urge people to attend an organised public display rather than holding their own. Organised displays are usually well-publicised, which means pet owners can prepare in advance."

He added that pet owners should ensure animals are indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off and that, if people are having displays at home, they should use lower-noise fireworks.


Bill’s special handshake - Oct 16 2007
Bill Nighy has revealed that people believe he belongs to a secret group - because of his handshake.

The 57-year-old Love Actually star told The Independent: "A common misconception of me is that I belong to some secret lodge, because I have no handshake. I suffer from Dupuytren’s Contractor, which means that when I shake your hand two of my fingers go into your palm.

"Women can think I’m making some sort of vulgar proposition so I try not to shake people’s hands, or explain I suffer from this hand problem."

The actor also revealed that while he has had huge success as an actor, he would’ve liked to be a lyricist.

"I’d like to write country songs and hope one of them might be recorded by Taylor Swift," he added. "And if any of my songs were to be performed by Taj Mahal, I would die happy."



INTERVIEW

Bill Nighy provides the essential Britishness in movie The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy , and has graced us with his unfeasibly long self to discuss his role in the film. He stars as planet builder Slartibartfast - who, as every nerd knows, won awards for creating the twiddly bits around Norwegian fjords.

The thinking woman’s crumpet is also keen to reflect upon his plans to eradicate poverty, his doomed novel, mortality fears and "the answer to life, the universe and everything".

Q: You’ve been a vampire, a zombie, a pirate, a rabbit and now a planet builder. There seems to be an other-worldly pattern emerging in your work.
I know. I’m at that difficult age where I can only portray men from other dimensions, so I think we can safely say a pattern is emerging. Once you’ve played a zombie, the writing is on the wall really.