My parents were so proud when I got a scholarship to go to theatre school - it was unheard of that a coal-miner's son should go to drama school. Brian Blessed coaldramaminer Change image and share on social
I wasn't good at examinations, but I went to a very good secondary school - Bolton-on-Dearne - with wonderful teachers, who taught me drama and encouraged me in every way. Brian Blessed boltondearnedrama Change image and share on social
My father was a coal hewer from Goldthorpe, a coal-mining village in South Yorkshire. He played for the Yorkshire second team as an opening fast bowler - to me he was a gorgeously heroic man. He helped form a union and closed down the Barnsley seam because it was seeping gas, and saved many, many lives. Brian Blessed barnsleybowlerclose share on social
When I was 11, I played the part of Rumpelstiltskin, and my teacher told me I would make a great actor. Brian Blessed actorgreatmake Change image and share on social
People talk about the difference between radio acting, TV acting and stage acting, but I think it's all the same. For instance, when I played Vultan in 'Flash Gordon,' I put as much energy into it as I would with 'King Lear' - it's all part of the same thing. Brian Blessed actdifferenceenergy share on social
I love Scotland - I was made an honorary Wallace after my work on 'Braveheart,' you know. If I have two or three days off, I love nothing more than driving up there and climbing around Glencoe. Brian Blessed braveheartclimbday Change image and share on social
When I was a child, I wanted to... go into space! To go to Mars. I wanted to explore and explore and explore. I wanted to go to the Lost World in South America - I was heartbroken to discover there were no dinosaurs; I still don't accept it. Brian Blessed acceptamericachild share on social
I'm a fully trained cosmonaut and have completed 800 hours training, which has made me the No. 1 civilian reserve ready to visit the International Space Station. I am determined to go up, and I want to explore the Moon, Mars and beyond! Brian Blessed civiliancompletecosmonaut share on social
You can't call it an adventure unless it's tinged with danger. The greatest danger in life, though, is not taking the adventure at all. To have the objective of a life of ease is death. I think we've all got to go after our own Everest. Brian Blessed adventurecalldanger share on social
My parents taught me honesty, truth, compassion, kindness and how to care for people. Also, they encouraged me to take risks, to boldly go. They taught me that the greatest danger in life is not taking the adventure. Brian Blessed adventureboldlycare share on social