Ray Winstone at premiere of The Sweeney: “I’m not tough”

Tuesday, September 4, 2012
10:09 AM

He may have played some tough characters, but east London actor Ray Winstone has said he is a big softie in real life.

(From left) Nick Love, Ben Drew, Hayley Atwell, Ray Winstone and Damian Lewis arriving for the UK premiere of The Sweeney at the Vue Leicester Square, London. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire

The 55-year-old actor is currently starring as Detective Inspector Jack Regan in The Sweeney, a role previously played by John Thaw.

Speaking at the film’s premiere in the West End last night he said: “I’m not tough at all in real life. Loads of things in life scare me.”

Winstone, who has been in films including Snow White And The Huntsman, 44 Inch Chest and Sexy Beast, had a job as an extra on the TV show of The Sweeney when he first started out as an actor.

He said: “It’s weird. It’s almost like it should be the last job I ever do. Let’s hope it’s not.”

In Nick Love’s big-screen remake of the cult 1970s TV series starring John Thaw and Dennis Waterman, rapper Ben Drew, aka Plan B, plays George Carter, the loyal sidekick to DI Regan.

Drew, who made his directorial debut with Ill Manors, was proud to do his own stunts.

The 28-year-old said: “I never really had to do action sequences so I was surprised at how quickly I took it up. It was a big deal. The only one I let the stuntman do was a jump through the window.”

Captain America star Hayley Atwell, who looked stunning in a blue lace dress by Pucci, and Damian Lewis, best known for his Emmy-nominated performance as Sergeant Brody in US series Homeland, are also in the cast.

Winstone was joined at the premiere by daughter Jaime and wife Elaine.

The Sweeney opens in cinemas on September 12.