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Sir Gary Oldman has revealed the surprising remark Prince William made to him when bestowing his knighthood.
Earlier today, the British actor was awarded a knighthood for services to drama.
Sir Gary, 67, began his career as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, going on to make his film debut in 1982’s Remembrance.
He then went on to star in other movies including State of Grace, JFK, Dracula, and the Harry Potter and Dark Knight series’.
Throughout his career he’s won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three British Academy Film Awards and nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards, while he’s also one of the highest-grossing film actors of all time.
In recent years he’s starred as British spy Jackson Lamb in the Apple TV Plus spy thriller Slow Horses.
But when speaking to the Prince of Wales at the ceremony for his knighthood, the actor revealed the savage remark he was met with.
Sharing their conversation, Sir Gary said the royal explained he was a ‘fan’ of the series but had a very specific gripe.
The prince told the actor that every time he sees him on screen as Lamb: ‘I just want to give you a good wash.’
Not missing his chance to defend himself though, Gary joked back: ‘Well, I think I’ve scrubbed up OK today.’
The actor’s character is known for being ‘unkempt, flatulent, rude and having a sour wit’.
After being awarded the honour, Sir Gary said: ‘It was emotional. Very emotional. We spoke (for) a minute, but I almost couldn’t find my voice.
‘I think I feel very honoured, very humbled and flattered, I think in equal measure.
‘It compares to nothing else. It’s a singular event, that is what it is.’
He added: ‘I thought the Oscar was a big deal. No disrespect to the academy, but it sort of pales in comparison to this. It’s just been wonderful.’
Sharing more about his conversation with the prince, Sir Gary said: ‘He mentioned The Fifth Element and Churchill of Darkest Hour.
‘He said he was very happy that I was here today and that it was him that had the opportunity to present me with (the honour).’
While at Windsor Castle, the actor said that people had been coming up to him saying they were waiting so they could binge-watch Slow Horses or asking if he would do another series.
Speaking about his character, he explained: ‘He’s got sort of an acid wit, sarcastic, he drinks too much, smokes too much, eats all the wrong things. Who wouldn’t want to play that?’
He added that the show was ‘truly one of the most enjoyable jobs I’ve had in 47 years doing this’.
Sir Gary was also asked about potentially reprising his role as Sirius Black in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series, but said it was unlikely.
‘No, I’m too old for Sirius Black, I’d have maybe given Dumbledore… I wouldn’t have said no to it immediately. I’d have given it some thought. But I think my days of Sirius Black are behind me,’ he said.
Last week Slow Horses, which is based on the book series by Mick Herron, returned for its fifth season.
The series follows an MI5 unit where disgraced or failed agents are consigned, under the supervision of Lamb. It also stars Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sophie Okonedo, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar and Christopher Chung.
In its review of the latest episodes, Metro wrote: ‘All in all, then Slow Horses season five is a bit of a triumph. I can’t think of a thing I didn’t like about it. The cast is brilliant, the story’s engaging, and the dialogue sharper than ever. When you can, go watch it. You won’t regret it.’
It’s already been green lit for two more seasons as well.
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