AS an actor, I take inspiration from the stars of the acting world.

So when introduced to one of my acting heroes, one with a very special Trafford connection, I was thrilled.

Ian McShane, now residing in Hollywood, lived in Urmston between 1950 and 1960.

He attended Canterbury Road Primary School before going on to Stretford Grammar School.

I asked Ian what he liked doing in Trafford and here’s what he had to say.

“I loved going to the Curzon Cinema and the swimming baths next door to it. I used to play football on the fields that are now the Urmston Bowling Club and play tennis on the courts that are still there in Crofts Bank Road. I also liked going to the dances at the Locarno in Sale.

"I was also a regular visitor to Old Trafford when my dad played for Manchester United from 1950 to 1955, and I still attend matches to this day."

I asked what his stand out moments were of his time in Trafford.

“Watching United play was always a highlight, but for myself it was when Stretford Grammar School did Cyrano de Bergerac and I played the part, which led to me going to The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

"I still enjoy coming back and seeing my mother, watching United and having local meat and potato pies. That childhood taste still comes back to you. They say it’s the water."

I would be hard pushed to pick my favourite role of Ian’s.

I loved watching the TV series Lovejoy and I admire his work on Deadwood and in the film series John Wick alongside Keanu Reeves. So instead, I asked him what his own highlights from his career to date are.

“Highlights are really for other people to pick and it’s always surprising, but if I had to choose I’d say my favourites are Battle of Britain, Disraeli, Jesus of Nazareth, Cheaper to Keep Her (I met my wife Gwen on that), Lovejoy, Sexy Beast, Deadwood, John Wick (about to start number 3) and American Gods (about to start season 2)."

Ian McShane is a fantastic actor and a really nice gentleman who I am very proud to know and I’d like to thank him for taking the time to chat to me about his memories of Trafford.