Free Your Mind With LKJc – Sen Monro, Alo Alo With Sen Monro

Good morning and welcome to Free Your Mind, Let's Talk About It with LKJ. My special guest today is Sen Munro, the most charismatic, funny gentleman that never ever fails to bring a smile to my face whenever I meet him. Um, his energetic personality— he's an actor and lots more. But I don't want to steal that from Stan because Stan is, um, somebody that I put on a pedestal myself and who will today share with the listeners his own life journey, um, his joys, his jubilations, and also emotional paths that he's gone. And so on that note, bring in a Sunshine to the sky today. Let me introduce you to Sen Munro. Good morning, Sen. Good morning. What a lovely introduction. Thank you. Most welcome, Sen. You're worth every part of that. I'm wondering if it's me you're talking about. Well, thank you. I'm beside myself with joy and happiness. So thanks for that intro. That's lovely. I was just wondering if you could explain to the listeners on the radio show this morning. Who is Sam Munro? Where was you born? Where did you come from? Your parents' lifestyle was— because, you know, and, you know, as an actor, etc., that you will progress on to say, um, stuff that you do do other than acting, um, and that journey by slowly breaking it down to who, who were you? Because some people, I think, said has this vision you're an actor, you're like Arnold Schwarzenegger, it's so easy, you're on the red carpets, you're doing everything. But they don't realize there's a lot of mental strain, stress in your own journeys, and to achieve that, it doesn't— the torch doesn't just come onto you and you go on stage, etc. So if you can tell us your story. Right, well, I think the first thing you ask is, is who I am and where I came from and all that sort of stuff, so we'll start with that. Um, I'm the son of immigrant parents. My, my parents are, um, a mixture of, uh, Turkish and Greek background from Cyprus. Um, they came over to the UK in 1951 having sold everything they own with the princely sum of £3 in their pockets and worked very hard to achieve something. Both my parents worked very, very hard, bless them. And, um, Dad worked in Good Street in central London, um, along with Mom, um, basically doing anything they could back in the '50s, um, you know, washing, cleaning pots and pans, chef, whatever. Um, Dad went on to work for a massive company called Firestone Tires over in Brentford, the tire manufacturer, as an inspector. And then there were some issues in the '70s, um, so people being laid off. So from completely left field, my dad went into catering and opened up a kebab shop, one of the first ones in the '70s, where a small kebab was 30p and a large one was 60p. That's how cheap it was. And, um, and that's where Dad made quite a bit of money, did very, very well. Um, I, um, I'm a child of the '60s, uh, mid-'60s. I grew up in— well, I was born in Belsize Park, which sounds all very nice, near Hampstead Darlings. Um, but, um, grew up in Finchley, North London. Um, had a normal primary school education. My secondary school was normal comprehensive, uh, secondary school, but I went to the same secondary school as John Bercow, um, who was the Speaker of the House of Commons. Um, he was a few years above me, and although it was a secondary comprehensive school, um, It's like most things in life, you get out of it what you put in. And that time, not just then, I suppose at primary school as well, I was very shy but still outgoing when I was pretending to not be me, so to speak. So that's where I learned about acting, really, um, or the beginnings of acting, um, you know, getting on stage and just performing. I loved it, you know, whether that be you know, singing or just fooling around, goofing around on stage. I loved it. And I think that was when— that was the catalyst. I thought, you know what, I like this. This I could, you know, I didn't even know it was an occupation. Um, but then I started to, you know, realize that yeah, there's something to this. Um, I started writing stories at primary school. I always remember my teacher, Mrs. Blake, saying to me, 'Sen, you've got a great imagination.' I thought, am I? Okay, I'm just writing stories. Um, and then at secondary school, that's when really I thought, yeah, actor, I like that. And also my writing at secondary school. Bless, bless him, Mrs.— bless them both, actually. Mrs. Murray, my, my first English teacher, and then Mr. Jobson, may they both rest in peace, saw something in me regarding my acting and my writing. Um, uh, Mr. Jobson was also a, um, uh, he sort of dealt with all the dramatic stuff, amateur dramatic stuff, and invited me to, to act. And I did, and I liked it. And the writing, um, I used to just— that was the thing I really took seriously. My sport, because I loved— I love sport, and I played sport to a fairly good standard. Um, but I love my sport. I love my French, which I learned fluently. I love languages and my writing, and Mr. Jobson encouraged me to carry on with that. And therein lies the, the, the fine, the little seeds, excuse me, that were sown. Because from, from tiny acorns, mighty oaks are forged, as he used to tell me. So from, from small beginnings, humble beginnings with my writing, he helped me, and incrementally I started to get better at it. And much like doing anything, when you keep doing it and you keep practicing, you get better. And so I found that my vocabulary started to improve. You know, I mean, I remember the first word I came across that I didn't know what it meant was pusillanimous, which means cowardly and wishy-washy, lily-livered. And I thought, wow, there's a whole range of words out there beyond the standard words that people use to describe stuff. And the more that you get— because don't you find often when you are speaking with some people, the sentences are so short, it reminds me very much of playing Scrabble where people do it and they try to get these triple points on it. It's easier to say the shorter word, but the actual sense— and like yourself with words, when you, when you hear these words like you're saying, it just makes your mind so interested in this word. Who creates this word, you know? And, and the meaning of cowardice, etc., through that is fantastic. Isn't it? Well, I found that it was like— for me, words are like painting, you know. You can paint and use a different— you know, on your palette you've got all these different grays and blues and greens and reds and whatever, and you paint. It's much like telling a story, um, and it's, it's finding a lovely cadence, a lovely rhythm to what you're writing. And I, I, I describe writing, um, like painting, you know, because you stand back and you look, or in our case sit back and read what you've written, and it just paints a wonderful picture in your mind. And that's what I love about words, you know, the fact that you can take these words and put some real strange words, and sometimes oxymorons— two opposites you put together. For example, those who don't know what an oxymoron is, it's two opposites going to being put together. So for example, from Shakespeare, parting is such sweet sorrow— sweet and sorrow put together. Is an oxymoron. So it's a weird word, but that's what I'm trying to explain. You paint this visual thing in your mind from the words that you put down, um, let's say on a computer or on a piece of paper, however you, you, it might manifest itself. And that's what I love. And I love telling stories. And, um, while some people might like, you know, um, stories that are horror or crime or murder or whatever it might be. My stories tend to have a romantic kind of visceral feeling about them. So I don't like writing shoot-'em-up stuff. I like things that have a meaning and a happy ending. So there you go, that's, that's a little bit about me. Well, that's because, which as I was saying in the beginning of the show, your personality, your charismatic personality, where you like to put a smile on somebody's face, you don't like to leave with negativity. You are a glass half full than half empty. So when people are feeling down, etc., like that, and having a rough time, when you've seen an actor trying to do it, you would show them, look, try this approach, try that, because to encourage is what you do as well, because, you know, it's a mental strain on them. But obviously, from myself and knowing you personally, Sam, which is wonderful, you know, it's just great. I love when we connect and do it. It's like when you were saying, um, it was evident from an early age, so you had a natural ability to act and write these stories. And obviously with the people at school, you know, the pressures they have with schools at the moment, you know, with things stopping because of COVID the school closures, we've had all this trauma over exams and the mental pressure that kids have been going through, and parents that are used to seeing their children if they are on stage, because they use this form you know, to express themselves. And that's why, you know, they find that way. And if that's been stopped mentally themselves, they've been like locked up in a cage because they need to be free. They need to act. They get— it feeds them and releases endorphins in their own mind for them to actually think, hey, you know, I feel free. I've got to— like somebody that likes to ride a bike, I just go for that big bike ride, or somebody enjoying swimming, freeing the mind. But also if yourself, you know, your teachers saw something special in you. As you were saying, you came from an immigrant family that were very hardworking. They worked very hard. But again, they— the love of the family and everything was strong-rooted to helping whatever they did. But they taught you it doesn't come easy, you have to work. And again, with that yourself, but also, you know, from your English teachers, like you're saying, about Mr. Jobson, etc., who's passed now. I said rest in peace to many people that cross our paths that go through, and the trauma of grief, etc., affects you with that. But you were a keen sportsman, and again, as a keen sportsman, you also represented your school and your county. I did. In both, you know, as a sort of— in football, cricket, athletics. I did. And not only that, did you have a golden tongue to act and bring this by from— you also had a golden foot because you did actually do trials for several well-known clubs such as Chelsea, Reading, and the Orient, and eventually you signed, uh, for Southend, and then went on to play for Hartlepool Town Football Club. So you had this golden boot that was shimmering along there, you know, expressing this in there. And I just imagine, you know, that bit— here comes Sen out the way, you know. And because you just smile at them, you know, your face, and you would have had them with your acting skills like, yes, I'm gonna get that goal! You would have distracted the goalkeeper as the goal went in there to say you've got that. Let me say this, um, I wish I was like Beckham. I wish I had golden balls instead of a goblin foot. I'm sure there's many that have the, uh, the same, uh, wonderful thing like. But again, you know, they will say about, uh, David Beckham in, in this case, but for him he had a strong person behind. And I think, you know, for Victoria Beckham was not quite a lot because yes, they wanted the fame, yes, she wanted— but he was a product. They wanted to get this to leave them up, make— leave their legacy. But they've also themselves have been faced with immense pressure that comes with that lifestyle. But she was the strength behind them encouraging like that. Like you as a man, when people think, oh, when I was told I was doing women's radio show, um, a captain from one of the ships I was interviewing said, oh, really, just women's only? I said, no, they do a men's show too, so you are quite welcome to come on that. Um, because people, oh, it's one or the other, but it's the joining of two that makes that in, and the strength wherever it comes. Um, and, uh, obviously like yourself, um, this charismatic young man here at the moment, listen, I think he's saying that, you know, if you Google Sam and you see this lovely charming face on there, you know, um, he's just gonna make you smile. Well, I've got a face for radio, so you're doing all right. Yeah, well, we like radio and TV as well. But then you also, you know, as a keen sportsman, you enjoyed golf. And general knowledge quizzes, etc. But I'm very interested in this, uh, I can't sing, I'm not going to do karaoke, but if I go, surprise, surprise, Cilla Black! Now, all right, I am quite interested to know that you went on Blind Date. Well, yeah, not just went on it, I mean, going on it is one thing, all right, but I don't know how I managed to— well, You know, I do know how I managed to win it because I think my last answer was the one that got me, got me picked. But yeah, I mean, I went on it and I won it. Well, could you share that, that line? Do you still remember? Come on, let the viewers know. Well, the first two questions really don't really matter because they were nowhere. But I, I do— I just to tell you a little bit about the show, um, they tell you the questions because it's too difficult to think on your feet under the, in the lights of the, you know, the cameras and all that sort of stuff in the studio. And plus, they, the researchers, not the girl who was picking or the guy, but the girl in my case, um, the girl doesn't know what your answers are going to be. So that is absolutely 100% genuine. When, when she hears those questions, they, the answers are, yeah, sorry, when she asks the question, those answers are told for the first time and she doesn't know. But the researchers need to know what you're going to say because You can't say, well, pick me because I'm hung like a mule. You know, might be true or maybe not. Who knows? But the point is you can't say because it's a family show. So the researchers want to know what you're going to say. So in relation to me, number 3 was a guy called Russ from Newcastle. He was doing very, very well, but he was— his answers were very long-winded. And so the last question was if we went on holiday on a tandem, who would steer and why? And number 2, bless him, Jonathan from sunny Brighton— I remember that was how they introduced him— was rambling on and on about how good he looks in cycling shorts and how he'd like basically to cycle off into the distance like John Wayne. And Cilla Black said, well, when did John Wayne ever wear cycling shorts? And then number 3 was going, well, I can't ride a bike, so yes, we'd have to put your bike in the boot of my E-Type Jag and blah blah blah. He's rambling on and on and on about how he's got a wonderful car and blah blah blah. Unbeknownst to me, I don't know that this girl's putting her fingers down her throat or pretending to. He's going, yeah, I don't like that. Um, so again, I recap. The question was, if we went on holiday on a tandem, who would steer and why? And my answer was, which I thought was really obvious, well, I'd let you steer, darling, because I'd be admiring the view from behind. And the audience went absolutely wild. And I remember watching the show, um, later on. Obviously I was picked, but when I watched the show and I saw the look on her face, it took her a second or two, and Scylla, to get what I was saying. And when I saw the reaction of when, when the penny dropped, it was absolutely wonderful. Now to me, that's the obvious answer, because you're on a tandem, you're looking forward, you've got somebody's big fat bottom in front of you, that's what you're looking at. This is very big fat. If you're on a bike and exercising and getting there and exercising, get ourselves fit? Not necessarily. Or do you think that's where the seat is? It just expresses one's, um, shape? Because I'm like Bridget Jones, so yeah, you know, that rhyme is not to ride a bike. But Jags, this was— this for me, it was just a bit of fun. I mean, I didn't go on the show looking for a date, um, I went on there for a bit of fun. And I'm actually going to come up— go a little bit of a tangent. I, I'm still in touch with, um, some of the people from that show. You've got to remember, this is 1988. And one of the people on that show is a huge star today, and that's Nina Wadia, who was on EastEnders. She's going to be on Strictly Come Dancing very soon. You know, she— we've, we've remained the best of friends. And when we do talk about Sweet Dreams, the film, I've got to tell you, she's, she's, she's going to be in our film as well. So I'm, I'm, as I said, sometimes what goes around comes around. But I'm absolutely chuffed to bits because my other friend Joffy and I have remained the best of friends. And as I said, it's been a long time since we did that show. And I did it for a bit of fun. Yeah, a little bit of notoriety, if you like. But I do realize— I did realize at the time when I was in front of the cameras, I thought, you know what, I really do like this. And that might sound a little bit narcissistic of me, but I really thought, I like this. I like being in front of the cameras. I like performing. Um, and, um, it made me realize that I, I believed that my heart was in that kind of industry, whether it's in front of the camera or behind the camera or creating stories, you know, from my imagination. But I knew that's what I wanted. Yes, because you also, um, appeared on the quiz show where, you know, we're saying you liked quiz shows, but on Tipping Point, Ben Shephard, you went off that Did you win or how did you get off? I was robbed. I was— I'll tell him next time. He was robbed. I was robbed because one of the questions that I answered was, what does IVF stand for? And I went, in vitro fertility. He goes, I'm sorry, it's in vitro fertilization. It's like, come on, it's the same bloody thing. But nope. And the guy— it's very different. And for many of the female viewers, um, and listeners, uh, listening to our show, As I spoke with Louise Warnford, it's very, very different. And these wordings, and you know, quite intense in there. Fertility, fertilization, come on. It reminds me, did you watch the Only Fools and Horses, that Christmas show with Del Boy, when he answered this question and he said, well, I, I can't do it, I need to ring my brother. And so he put all this emotional pressure on, um, what was the name, Rodney. He rings him up and he's got, um, oh God, Jonathan Ross asking the question. This was— and he went, I'm very sorry. And Rodney said, I put my life on it. So Dale said, you know, he had about £50,000 or something. Yeah. I'm sure, Dale, I'm sure. And then he, um, told him, he said, no, sorry, uh, it's incorrect. He looked and Rodney was like Oh my God, he's, you know, and this pressure, and he just went off, you know, thinking, you know, the mental pressure you've been put under when you are asked to go on these shows to be, um, somebody to answer them, etc. That, um, he, the studio had actually got it wrong and rung Dale Boy up, and then he thought everybody down the local was winding him up. But like you said, because it was so close in the words that you would use, that, um to get that. Uh, you know what was upsetting? Because I, I had the next counter, um, to put into the, that the, you know, the machine. A whole load of coins fell down, and that's the difference between winning and losing. Because I knew I'd got the IVF— come on, you know, the word was, you know, it doesn't matter if it's fertility or fertilization. He said I got it wrong, and the next guy got the coin, put it in, whole load of counters came through, and I couldn't get through to the next round. So I was pretty gutted But look, it is what it is. It doesn't matter. I mean, you know, I'm over it now. Woo-hoo-hoo! Yum! Still crying and freshing it on there, which just shows again, you know, of yourself. So mental health-wise, to Arthur, when you are actually faced with something, you know, when you get something that happens to you, how would— how do you deal with that? Do you— are you somebody that holds that in? Or do you like to free your mind and, you know, express this, sit down, you feel better? That's very easy for me to answer, and I've got a, I've got a phrase that I use, and that phrase is, I never hold myself ransom to my emotions. I don't know where I came up with that from, but I've just— it's just something I've carried with me all the time. I listen— everybody has a different way of dealing with trauma or whatever it might be. Everyone's got their own way, method of dealing with it. Some bottle it up, some never show it at all. Um, it depends where I am and what I'm doing, but, um, it's really weird. The, the most traumatic thing that I've lived through, um, is both, both of my parents died in my arms. My mother, mum died of cancer, something called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. And watching somebody that you love deteriorate in front of your eyes over a period of time is, is torture because there's nothing you can do. Um, you know, and hearing my mum talking. And so she was only 63, and she was the most beautiful, kindest woman that you'd ever hope to meet. And there's a song by Billy Joel that says, 'Only the good die young.' Um, you know, in which case, then I want to be really bad because I want to live for a long time. But, um, mum didn't deserve to die like that, um, and that upsets me. Um, And the weird thing about that is that I, I didn't cry as much until I think it was about 2 years later. I was just in, you know, home, and suddenly it hit me that I'm never going to see my mum again, although I knew that. But it just, it was, it's weird how the mind is. And my dad, bless him, um, again, lovely, generous, kind guy, very hardworking, as was mum. Um, he left after my birthday in March to go to Cyprus. He spent 6 months here, 6 months there. Um, I was working, um, uh, in the police at the time. I didn't get over to Cyprus until July, Friday the 4th of July, it was 1997. He picked me up from the airport. Um, I thought my dad looked older. I hadn't seen him, as I said, since March. Um, we visited my mother's grave because she wanted to be buried in Cyprus. And I noticed that next to my mum's grave was a plot of, uh, like a plot with, with some wire around it. I said, Dad, someone's put wire next to this plot. He goes, I bought that. He says, you never know, I could die tomorrow. Well, you know what I'm going to say, Jags, um, he did. He died the next day, um, from a massive brain hemorrhage. So I got there Friday, Dad died Sunday, and Wednesday came back to the UK and, um, took a career break because at the time I was on the murder squad, which, uh, is— was pretty bad, um, doing something called family liaison. It's difficult to reconcile somebody else's grief when you're dealing with your own. Um, um, I mean, it helped that I inherited a bit of money as well, so I didn't have to go back to work. But the point was, did I hold myself ransom to it? No, I, you know, I let it out because I'm one of these people that really do believe that You know, I mean, I can't speak for people that hold it in, but I can only tell you how it, how it is for me. I let it out, and whether that's letting it out and crying within the confines of my own space, my own home, or letting out or talking like this, talking about it quite openly. I'm quite open, um, you know, you can ask me anything you like, um, but in terms of this thing, how did it affect me? Yeah, it hurt me. After all, you know, losing your parents is one thing. Losing your parents when you're there next to them is another. But watching the people that you love slowly die, um, whether that be over a period of time because of cancer, or whether on the beach as my dad and I were— we were sitting on the beach having a lovely time and that was it. And it was just very, you know, I felt that, you know, some people say dying quickly and getting over and done with is, is good. But I felt that there was just— it was just like there was so much more I wanted to say to my dad. And whilst he knew, and both, and both my parents knew that I loved them very, very dearly— we spoke about it very— we were very open in that respect— you still want to hug your dad, hug your mum, and tell them one last time before they go on that final journey just how much they mean to you and how much they've influenced you and just how much you love and respect them. And I hope that in the stories that I write and the things that I do and the way that I carry myself and all that sort of stuff, that I, that I do the right thing and, and, and never embarrass them, because they're always, always, always in my heart and in my mind every time. So there you go. And, you know, as you know, my own story, and, you know, for people, is having that chance to speak one-to-one sometimes. As you know, with all my qualifications and being a bereavement counsellor, yeah, I took that. And the reason I took the bereavement counselling myself was my own mother died in my arms, and that's, you know, as you know. And it was just before Christmas. She'd gone to visit my brother and was fine. And my brother only said, 'Mum's not feeling great, so I'm calling the doctor.' I said, 'Yep, yep, okay,' as you do as a family. And, um, she was told by the doctor, you're going to have to go in, you've got a blockage, it seems, so we need to do an enema or something like this. When she went in and they told my brother that Mum had bowel cancer, and when my brother rang me and I was busy reporting something, the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing. I was like, oh, I'll call you back in a minute, I'll call you back in a minute. Oh, it's my brother. Oh, he's probably, you know, something to say. I haven't spoke to him for a little while because we're very, very close to my brother and I. And, um, and then I remember the words, um, Sissy— it always was Missy— you need to come home, um, you know, come home to Wales. And I was like, why? He said, Dad needs you. And said, Mum's got cancer. I was like, oh. So, you know, there I am heading down the M4 to get back, um, to say— and I walked in and Mum was in the hospital. And, um, my— it was 11 o'clock at nighttime I got there, and then they said, no, the nurses said you could come in. So as I came in, they said, oh, Lady Jagger, please come in. My mum was sitting up with my father by the side with the light on, and I walked in. As soon as I saw her face, I burst into tears. She said, now we'll have none of that, you know, come on, come on. And I just looked at her eyes and thought You're so brave, how can you do that? Looking at her and she went, come on, come on, like that. She said, they'll bring you tea in the moment, so we get only the very best, they've got Eternal Bow. And I just looked at her thinking, you've been told you're going to die and you're going, don't worry, don't worry about everybody else, that you had tea and everything. And looking at her, and then I had to go back the next morning when I saw the doctors Her mum decided, you know, they said there's a team, Macmillan and the Pilgrims Hospice, which are fantastic, and came out and helped. And, um, and for a lot of people that's in there, and I've raised a lot of money for both these charities, and I'm always looking for gifts. Or, and then we'll get on to Gripping Yarn films and about these lovely little things that you, you have in there, um, that come out to help somebody because a nurse each night. At that time was £187 per night for them to sit with you because Mum came home and Mum died in my arms. And I had a cardiac arrest and ended up having to see a heart surgeon, everything. And you people see, you get broken heart syndrome, and I believe my heart actually broke then. And you know, with other stuff, I'd lost my brothers previously my own child, and it was just another massive trauma to face going in like that. As you said, because like with your mum, it's hard. But you know what, I believe there is a better place. And like you said about yours, that are up there, because when you see their grounding and what they give us, and in the mental health, and by doing the bereavement counseling, is I had to know the answer why I was feeling like I was, how can I get like this instead of trying to destroy myself. And by using the counseling stuff to go forward, I then came out and, um, you know, wrote the book, etc. And so, like, for yourself, they've left that strength in that we are growing as people, and other people do grow. So look at what they've left you, their legacy, to encourage. And this is what I'm saying about yourself when you're saying about your parents, to make them proud, being honest. They would be, Sam, because You know, look at it. You, you founded Gripping Yarn Films, which is based in the UK. Okay, um, you're related to a well-known actor, Tema Hassan. Yeah, um, you work along, you know, a fantastic guy, Tony Klinghart, part of Gripping Yarn Films, and Paul Greenwood. But people whose, um, situation is where you're coming in and, um, going to explore what you do. When you had the Gripping On Films barbecue, which was wonderful, you know, people that you help and support in there, that's, um, like, uh, Eddie, Eddie Kidd, etc., like that, all these lovely people there and what you do. But for yourself. And, you know, um, with these films that are coming out, uh, Sweet Dreams, um, Sweet Dreams, Deepak Kalhoon, Crooners, Two Wrongs, um, there's a few films there. Yes, yeah. So in yourself as being there, you know, doing your acting and everything like that, so tell me, how did you meet, for instance, Tony? I did Tony's writing course, um, and film production and script writing. All right, so I mean, I always try and better myself. I always try and learn stuff because Tony is a legend in the industry. There's nothing this guy doesn't know about anything to do with the film industry, and I wanted to learn from, from people like that. I mean, Tuka Suleiman from Dragon's Den is a friend of mine. Um, you know, I, I ask these people for their knowledge. I want to know their knowledge. I want to know what makes them tick, what makes them be successful. Because listen, whilst I hope to be, you know, even a small minutiae, something, you know, as, you know, akin to what they're doing to get on that ladder to be hopefully successful, I want to know what, what, how their brain works and how, you know, how they think. So with Tony. I did his writing course, but I also knew that, um, it was a way in which he could read my scripts and read my stories and, and hopefully like them. So I did the, um, I did his course, um, and he liked what I was, you know, as I said, the stories that I was writing, the, the scripts that I'd made, and, um And we spoke when we finished the course, and, um, I said to him, look, you're a fantastic producer, well, world-renowned. You bring something different to what I do. Um, Gripping Yarns Films was just an idea in my head. I'd set the company up, but like anything, you need a team around you. And I said to him, look, if you like the scripts that I've written um, why don't you come on board, be part of my company along with Paul Greenwood, and help me to achieve something so that I can take this company forward? Because it's pointless me just being the owner of a company 100% and not making any films and getting nowhere. You know, who am I writing the scripts for? For an audience of one? Me? Great. Because you wasn't being, uh, ego— um, I'm not egocentric. I mean, the point is that, you know, I can't sit there with a, with a, with a, you know, with a Coca-Cola and a tub of popcorn watching my own film made for 5 pence. I mean, that's ridiculous. But, you know, whilst it is a business and whilst it is, you know, there's nothing wrong with making your company and doing something you love. You know, people get paid handsomely for being pilots or doctors or dentists. It's not what I can do. Um, I certainly can't kick a football like these professionals can, although sometimes I like to think that I'm as good as Ronaldo. I wish. But you have his looks. Yeah, I think you should be writing comedy. Um, so, um, I was gonna say to you, I mean, for me it was a question of, you know, do I give part of my company away? And if I do, what do I get in return? And the point is you can't do it all yourself. So as I said, I've got a great team around me. We're moving forward. The stories that are born of original thought from, you know, in my mind's eye, I write. And that's the whole point. And Tony saw something in me, much like the teachers at school did. And, you know, I have learned and am learning so much from— he's a wonderful, wonderful guy. Very, very warm, very receptive. I know you've met him, but from my perspective, he really does give you your time, especially if you've got something Um, you know, I dare I say, you know, I don't like to speak about me so much, but it must— as you're interviewing me, he's seen something as well in my stories. And I, I love the fact that he, he believes that they're, they're going to be very successful. And I'm happy that he wants to be part of it. Like I said, you know, what's the point of celebrating on your own when you can celebrate amongst friends and family in a team? That's so much better. Regarding the company and etc., when you're doing films, can we just touch base on— obviously there's a lot of stress and strain in producing a film, and obviously listeners on that, you know, again, mentally pushing yourself to get investments, everything like that. Can people invest in, in a film? People can invest in whatever they like. Um, I think there's— there are— listen, like anything in business, there are a lot of charlatans out there. You've got to be very careful. People will promise you the moon and the stars and everything but fail to deliver. I hate that. I hate duplicity. I hate people that are being two-faced and— or smiling assassins, as I call them. You know, they'll smile at you as they, as they, as they you know, shooting you in the knees or wherever they want to do. But, you know, with me, with us, with the company, everything's open to scrutiny. We're open and honest and decent. And it— and that— listen, you can, you can fool somebody and fleece some of the money, and, you know, that's— I mean, it's a cruel thing to do. I, I can't do that. Everything that we do is open to scrutiny. It's open to, you know, um, investigate and have a look and whatever. No one— we don't make anybody invest in our films. You know, we don't hold a gun to someone's head. But what we do say is, look, if you like what we're doing, come along, be part of this journey. And in relation to the mental side of things, listen, there are far more talented people than I that have given up on their dream and just fallen by the wayside. I've got to tell you, Jags, it's just not in my DNA to give up. I can't because it's— this is what I want to do. I can't sit in an office and do a 9-to-5. I can't fly a plane. I can't cut people open and operate on them, and that's a fantastic gift. What can I do? I can write stories, and hopefully people will seek some kind of solace or some affinity and like these stories and lose themselves for an hour and a half, 2 hours in a cinema over a bit of escapism, because after all dreaming and, and, and having wonderful thoughts about great things that you see on screen. That's what's a wonderful thing. I want to be entertained. And whether that's somebody, as I said, you're writing a horror, horror story, and not for me, or, you know, blow them up and kill people, again, not for me, or have a happy story about, you know, I don't know, just a fantastic romantic comedy. That for me, that's where, you know, that's where my forte lies. And I love that kind of stuff. And like I said, from an hour and a half, 2 hours sitting in a cinema drinking Coke, eating popcorn, you know, and watching something, for me is just wonderful. And that is my strength. Okay, so as you know, with the banks and everything at the moment, the investment side, it's a huge pressure for people. You know, you work hard for your money, you want to save and get invested. You know, with the banks, you're getting nothing. Through there. Um, I, I have done a little research on that, and if people wanted to invest in— because people got this in returns, is there any taxings, etc. Um, and if somebody did want to invest and think, you know, with the credit, and you— there are some tax benefits like 50% or something that you can get a tax break, etc., which is better than the money you're getting in your bank, which you're going— you're encouraging doing, and your credit, etc. Can you just touch on that if people did want to. And obviously they can get in touch by, um, how they would be able to get in touch with you for more information. People wanted to do investments in this show. And when we talk about Sweet Dreams, explain what Sweet Dreams is, etc., like that. Would that be okay with you? I would explain all of that in as, as short a time as possible. Right, if people want to get in touch with me, um, they can certainly ring, uh, am I able to give the phone number out? Yes, you can. 07845 812000, that's the, um, the business number. Um, they can either get in touch with me or Tony or Paul. Um, but the email is either info@grippingyarnsfilms.com or you can write to sen@grippingyarnsfilms.com. So Gripping Yarns, plural, films, plural, dot com. Um, there's the website, you can go through there, or on Facebook. I'm on all social media, just, just look for Sen Monroe. Um, but in terms of what people do, look, um, we're waiting for the assurances from HMRC, um, for something called EIS, SEIS, which essentially means that, um, if you put some money in, you'll get a, um, a return on your money, um, less the tax. So, um, if I explain it if you're a taxpayer, you'll get tax relief on the amount of money that you put in. So I said at 50%, I believe it is, but, um, Paul Green was the, the chap to speak about that. But essentially, um, you pay less tax or no tax on half the money, um, and you'll also get a return on your investment or something like that. It, you know, the fine minutiae is in the business plan and the investment memorandum, which if anybody wants to see and scrutinize, um, I'll get Paul Greenwood to send, but that's it. But, you know, it's, as I said, it's a journey. And, you know, we all want to do well in business. But as I said, my philosophy and raison d'être, so to speak, is, look, we're an ethical, warm, go-getting kind of company. We're not out there to hurt anybody. Far from it. Quite the opposite. We're nice and warm and fuzzy, and we, we like doing things the right way. And that's exactly what I can promise you Gripping Yarns Films will do. We'll do everything the right way, and, um, and hopefully at the end of it, we'll— you'll, you'll leave the cinema knowing that you've invested in something, got a return on your investment, but also you've been entertained along the way. And if I've done that, then I'm very happy. Okay, and, um, let me talk about some of the films that you are already producing. I know I have, um, I've got management of my own book, The Broken Girl in the Red Shoes, which is one of the four books that is going to go to film. And obviously they'll be speaking with Paul Greenwood myself about that, because, you know, I'm just the author of the book. You know, this other stuff— to bring what people read or listen to, to see on screen and your character come to life on the other side of this, um situation of, you know, you've got people who invest. So for me, my dream to sit in the cinema with popcorn, my God, I wrote that! And how they brought these characters together when people do castings, etc. As we know, um, Daniella Westbrook is, uh, one to cast it and some other top names. But you've also got something in the middle of production is, um, Sweet Dreams. Hasn't got Bobby Davro in and, uh, Michelle. Vicky Michelle. Well, let me— yeah, let me listen. Um, as I said, we've got Nina Wadia, Stephen Berkoff. Um, we're hopeful— I'm not going to name his name, give his name out, but another top, top British A-lister involved. Um, and Bobby. Bobby's as mad as a box of frogs. He's a lovely, lovely guy. Yeah, you two together. I didn't see him at Griffin Yard. No, he couldn't make it. Of the, uh, there was weather issues and that, wasn't there? Um, I think he was working that day, uh, actually. Um, you know, but Bobby and I, I mean, it's quite funny because I don't know if you can remember Rainbow from back in the day with Zippy. Yeah, when we get together— hello everyone! Anyway, I'm not going to go into it, but, but, but when Bobby and I get together, we, uh, we, we start going crazy about characters from Rainbow and other stuff. He's just— oh, you can't tie the guy down. He's, he's honestly, he's absolutely mad, but he's got a heart of gold. I love him very dearly, and I'm very grateful that he's agreed to be part of the film because I think he'd be fantastic. Um, and Vicky's a lovely, lovely woman, very underrated actress. Yeah, didn't she do— what didn't she— was she the waitress in Hello, Hello? He's very— no, he's extremely well known as, um, uh, um, Yvette Carte-Blanche on, um, Aloha Life. But let me tell you some of this, a little bit of background about Vicky. Vicky is an extremely underrated actress. She's fantastic. And it, it gives me great pleasure to have been able to cast her in Sweet Dreams. And I'll talk about what the film is about very briefly in a minute, because I, much like Bobby Dabrow, like, much like Michael Greco, who I know was in EastEnders, um, obviously Vicky and others, they are more than just your average soap actors, actresses, whatever. Or, you know, there's more to it than that. Um, Sue Hodge as well, who I know very well. Um, there's substance to these people. They're not just, you know, someone that you'll see, oh yeah, you know, I've seen them in Aloha. There's more to— and I've said to Vicky, as I've said to a lot of other people, especially Bobby, I said I can't wait to get this film made because I know that the British public already love you, but they will see you in a completely different light with this. And I said as much to Steven Berkoff because Steven Berkoff, who's also in part of the film, listen, he's been known as playing in, in The Craze and in Beverly Hills Cop 2, but also in, in Octopussy opposite Roger Moore. And he's always played nasty, sinister characters, but he's got a great comedy sort of association too. But people don't see that. And I said to him, you know, when we first sat down to talk about whether he'd be doing my film, he says, my boy, I've played lots of villainous parts before. What is it that makes you think that I'm good at this? I said, well, Mr. Berkoff, I said, what it is, I said, I think you're going to be great. And there's a whole generation of people that don't know who you are. And those that do know you know you play nasty, sinister characters. How about playing something funny for a change? He says, my boy, that makes perfect sense. I'll do your film. So, and he's read the script, which he loves. So like I said, it's a huge, huge honor for me to have him involved in part of what I'm doing, just as much as it's a huge honor for me to have Tony to produce it. I'm very, very lucky. And I don't take that lightly at all. No, because, uh, one of your, um, personal quotes is, writing a script and making a film isn't easy. If it doesn't— it just doesn't fall out of the sky. If it was easy, everybody— everybody would be— I always say, yeah, right, yes, writing a script isn't easy. It's not easy at all. But you've got to be dedicated, and, and you've just got— if, listen, if you're passionate, doesn't matter what it's about, whether you were passionate about playing sport. And if you want something that much, like I do, then you've got to go out and get it because it's not going to fall out of the sky. You have to work for it. And that's the, you know, the— what's the phrase? I'm trying to think. I think there's Tony Jacklin said, the harder I work, the luckier I get. And it's true, you know, you've got to work bloody hard because it's not just going to— you may have all the talent in the world But if you're sitting in your, in your sitting room doing nothing, who's going to know about it? Get out there, chase your dream, be in people's faces, you know, knock at the doors, because that's how you're going to get ahead. And you will have 100 doors closed in your face. But if you give up on the first one, or even if you give up on the 99th one, you don't know that the 100th one's not going to say, hello, come on in, come and sit down, tell me all about it. You, as I said, there are far more talented people than me that have given up. It's just not in the fabric of my makeup and my DNA to do so, because what else can I do as well as I do this? Um, I do this to the very best of my ability, and it's what I want to do. I was asked, do you want fame? It's not about that. It really isn't about that. For me, it's about producing something. Yeah, look, if, if people recognize me because I've written a great story like Tarantino or whatever, oh God, I mean to walk amongst those kind of people would be fantastic. But you have to earn the right. It's just like you have to earn the right. You may be the best footballer in the world, you can't just turn up on the day and say, put me into the, you know, front line at Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal. I won't mention my team Tottenham because we're not doing so well. But I know that was a 3-0 loss, wasn't it? But let me just finish my point, Jags. What I'm trying to say is you can't just walk in, expect it to happen. You've got to go out there and you've got to go for it and you've got to chase it and you've got to make it happen. Because like I said, you will have 100 doors be closed in your— or 99, as I put it, 99 doors closed in your face. But you can't give up because if you want it that badly and you're prepared to give up, then you didn't want it that badly in the first place. So that's my, that's my view. So if I can elaborate on that part, which is very powerful, you know, in what you're saying is that, you know, and again, your encouragement to the listeners that we'll be doing. Obviously there's a lot of mental strain, say, in that for people trying to act, and the rejection, the rejection, the rejection, you know. For myself, is— did I always believe, and one of my quotes is, you know, there will always be an umbrella of support somewhere. And people think, no, there's not. Well, there is, because, you know, you've got the gray days and the colorful days. As you know, when things happen really good, you you've got that Sherazin. But if you haven't and you keep getting these failures and you're feeling tired and giving up, um, with that, with the strength of that support, did you feel you had an umbrella of support? Who would you go to? How— what would you look at? So do you think it's not rejection, but would you say it's rejected or I wasn't good? It's just it wasn't quite fitting for that type, you know, you probably didn't fit the face that they wanted to see on the TV. So would you express to the listener, if in a situation like that, the mental thing, how did you cope with that rejection? I, I'm, I've got— or how did you see it? I'm as tough as old boots and I've got skin like, right, a rhinoceros when it comes to rejection. Um, I mean, I never used to, and I've walked away thinking, oh, you know, they didn't like that, and was prepared to give up, but I've spoken to people, and I do have good, good friends that believe in myself. I, I love my school friends, all of them, without, without fail. They're like so supportive of me. Go on, Sen, we like— we know what you were like writing stories at school. Um, and I used to write stories and people would sit around me and listen to the stuff that I'd written. So I mean, and that's at school. Um, you, you just got to keep going. In terms of my support Really, I support myself, um, and I look at the people whose shoulders I, I, I, I, I walk on, you know, carried along, so to speak, shoulders of giants that have gone before me. And I hope that I, I get along as much as high, as high a position as they have. But I'm going to give you an example. J.K. Rowling was turned down by 12 publishers before finding success with, with her Harry Potter books. And look at what she's doing now. Actors, I'm not going to name, there are far too many. You just got to keep going. And maybe for some people life gets in the way— mortgage, marriage, kids, whatever. Um, that's never held me back. Um, I'm not that I'm married, but I'm in a long-term relationship who's— and she's very supportive of me. But the point I'm trying to make is that if you want it, you've just got to keep going. And yes, you will get rejected, you will be hurt And, and it's like walking in the rain and the storm, you know. It's, it's like, you know, singing Walk On, you know, by Jerry and the Pacemakers. You've just got to go through the wind and the rain and believe in your heart that you've got what it takes. I do, um, and I'm nowhere near where I want to be, but I, I can't, I can't give up. I can't. It's just, as I said, it's just not who I am. And I get rejected and down, you know, or have been rejected a lot. And you get downhearted and you think, is it going to happen? Is it going to happen? It's going to happen. But you have to believe that there's going to be a brighter day out there. And if you do have the talent— um, again, I'm not going to talk about me because it's obvious that I think I do— but if you've got the talent, whether that's drawing, painting, photography, medical, you know, doctors, scientists, whatever it might be, back yourself. Because if you don't, who is? And you have to believe that you've got a talent, a strength, a wonder, a thing that people are interested in. And I do believe that people are interested in my stories and, and my books and my films, because if I didn't, then why am I wasting my time? And that's the whole point. You've got to carry on. Most definitely, most definitely. So obviously, um, you, you yourself, that people might think Oh, as you said earlier in, in the early part of the show, when you lost your parents, that, you know, you worked, you were, you were in the murder squad, you left the police force, you gave that up. And obviously, um, with your, um, parents, I only said you were, you know, left inheritance, etc. So some people might think, oh well, you're okay because your parents worked hard, they gave you this pot of inheritance, you then went— but you didn't. Yeah, am I right in remembering in one of our concerts how you sold everything to actually get yourself— sold everything, sold a lot. Um, I'm an all-or-nothing kind of guy, you know. Um, I back myself, I back myself to do it. Um, I might be wrong and I might end up a bum instead of a king, so to speak. Again, another Billy Joel song. Um, but I, I The worst thing in life is missed opportunity, whether that's whether you should have asked a girl out, you know, at a dance and you didn't, and that she liked you but you didn't ask her out, she married somebody else, you know, and you find out years later that you should have just, you know, what's the worst she's going to say? She's going to say no, and your mates might rib you, but what if she said yes? And that's the hope, that's the difference. What if she said yes to you? Or you walk past a sweet shop, the National Lottery, and you've got your 6 numbers in your head, man I'll save myself a quid. And then those numbers come up that weekend. Sometimes in life you just got to take a chance, a leap of faith. And that's what it's all about. You're here on this planet for a mere blink of an eye. I know very much that my parents were here— weren't here long enough. One minute they're there, one minute they're not. So live life, enjoy it, take a chance. What's the worst that's going to happen, you know? You didn't win the lottery, fine. You didn't ask a girl out, or you did, you didn't, she said no, fine. But at least you know. And like I said, the worst thing in life is missed opportunity and not knowing. And I have to know in my heart whether I am good enough to, to do these things, because I've got— let's face it, I watched some stuff on TV or I've read some books and I think, how on earth did that get made? And you know Um, I'm not going to mention names, you know. There were some— I mean, there were some great things out there as well. I mean, you know, conversely, you watch stuff, you think, wow, I've got to step up my game if I want to be in this— on this— in the same playing field as these people. Um, I can describe it as Ronaldo joining Manchester United now, you know. Um, the guy's got nothing to prove, he's done it, but he wants to prove to himself, even at the age of 36, that he's still got the the goods to, to dish out, so to speak, the minerals, as you speak, so to speak, to do well. And all those around him are upping their game because they know they've got to step up. I'm not saying I'm Ronaldo, but I, I'm— the analogy is that I want to be that good, um, and hopefully I will be. And that's what I strive for. Yes, uh, well, we are coming, uh, shortly close to this wonderful interview with you, and the passion that you have given out to, um, the listeners in, in hope and everything in that. And it's been amazing, you know, for having you on the show to do that. Then, um, so there is so much more that's there for you and, and what you're doing and this wonderful company. For me, it's a pleasure always when we do speak to you, um, and what's going on. And I hope all the listeners today have seen who Sen Munro is, who you are, uh, and even throughout you can hear that, uh, the passion you had when we spoke about your— you actually took us down with you. You opened up and you freed your mind, but you freed your mind to everyone. And the reason for opening up and freeing that was that people can learn, they can understand. And like you said, try. There's no harm in trying, you know. If we do fail, then there's no shame in it, is there? You try again. And like yourself with Griffin Young Films, everything you're doing and On Your Road, um, is absolutely wonderful. And you know, for investment side, etc., and for the film industry, and to see you on stage out there, and like you say, for other actors, etc., to go on to do that. But again, I would say, you know, um, with people and listening to this show, you know, with investments, if you choose to do that, um, you know, Sen has given out all the numbers, etc., on it. But I hope, Sen, that the listeners that come in and, you know, when the show's out, everybody's listening, and when they're leaving their comments below, that obviously, um, they can leave them and we will get back, um, we'll probably do another recording sometime later on as Sweet Dreams is coming. Yes, I don't know where they can do that, when you can announce the extra people coming on there. But I am going— as I'm going to say bye to my listeners, uh, and your listeners today on this show, to thank them, um, is there anything that you would like to say in the last minute and a half before we say goodbye to everybody today, to leave them with, with the thing that for mental health, what they want to do, their goals. Yeah, I'll make it— I know, a final bit for them. I'll make it quick. Firstly, listen, like I said, back yourself if you believe you've got what it takes to get there. Don't be put off by naysayers and people bringing you down and saying you'll never make it, because there are millions of people that will say that. You've got to believe in yourself and know that you will do whatever it takes— the fortitude, the strength of mind, the character, everything to get you ahead. Yeah, you're right, I'm a glass half full kind of guy, but I choose to be because the adverse effect of being a glass half empty kind of guy, I don't want to suffer the consequences of that. You know, I live life to the best of my ability. I laugh, I joke, and I try to be the best version of me I can, and I try to be decent and upstanding. And if you can do all of those things, you don't have to follow me, but just be kind to one another and enjoy life because like I said, we're here very briefly. Make the most of it and do everything you can to please those around you that you love, but above all, to please yourself. Well, thank you, Sen, for those really strong words. Like I said, be kind. If you are suffering, always remember that the umbrella of support— to pick up the phone, to speak. Somebody's there. Just put your hand out to reach. You'll be surprised that invisible hand that will touch. But for me, uh, LKJ, Free Your Mind, um, Let's Talk About It, and from Sen Munro. Thank you very much for joining us on today's show.