You’re a Chelsea fan, but how did a North London lad end up supporting the Blues?I always say, the number 14 bus went to Chelsea from King’s Cross, but it also went to Highbury from King’s Cross. I got on it one day and ended up at Stamford Bridge, so I just kept supporting them. Ha ha.

You later wrote match reports for the [communist daily newspaper] Morning Star. How did you get that gig?I knew someone who worked there and they didn’t have a reporter for Chelsea. He said “Would you like to do it?” So I got a free pass to get in to matches, which was great.

What do you make of ‘Chelski’?I have fonder memories of us struggling. I still love it, but I think there’s just too much money in it.

You’ve got a new DVD about the mad side of football – so what’s the maddest thing you can remember seeing?I went to a Bristol Rovers v Chelsea away match and met a big guy on the

train. He turned out to be a Metropolitan Police offi cer, who was also

a Chelsea hooligan on his day off. We stuck with him and none

Ding dong celery on high! Phil fi nds another use for this most versatile of veg

of the bars were letting any Chelsea fans in, but he’d show his warrant card at the door and they let us in. I remember there was a fi ght in the pub, but he just watched the police sort it out.

Did you see much hooliganism in the dark ol’ days of football?Yeah, I was on a train coming back from Chelsea v Luton and they set fi re to it. We all had to jump out at West Hampstead.

But it can be a pretty crazy life as an actor. What’s the looniest thing you’ve done as a thesp?I was in a play where I had to throw 90 knives a night at two girls. Some fell into the audience, but they never hit anybody.

You fi rst hit the scene in the classic ’70s fi lm about Mods, Quadrophenia. It’s topped a poll of movies that men must see. Are you amazed at the longevity of its appeal?For years I tried to blank it off when people brought it up, but over the last few years I’ve embraced it. I’ve even been to Quadrophenia conventions.

Your geezer credentials are legendary…Scum, Quadrophenia, a snooker musical,

working alongside Pub Landlord, Al Murray. But are you a geezer in real life?No, I’m a gentle sort. Ha ha. I’m probably a mixture between the two.

What are your most ungeezer-ish traits?I cook quite a bit. Geezers don’t really cook, do they? I like gardening too, and I watch Ugly Betty! I even tried to learn how to waltz.

Talking of which, did you enjoy your time on Strictly Come Dancing [Phil was voted

out early doors]?I wasn’t on very long, but I enjoyed it. Normally, I’ll dance to Lulu’s ‘Shout’ at a wedding, but that’s about it.

You played Kevin Wicks in EastEnders, but aren’t they all Hammers?Yeah, but I said, “I’ll do the show, but only if he supports Chelsea. Then I won’t be given so much stick.” So they agreed.

Was that your only stipulation? Yeah – that and to wear Chelsea underpants. There’s a scene with me in them. It was one of my great ideas.

Finally, can you sing us the lyrics to Chelsea terrace classic, ‘Celery’?Of course. “Celery! Celery!/If she don’t come/I’ll tickle her bum with a lump of celery/Celery! Celery!” Every Chelsea fan should know it. Phil’s new DVD, Match Day Madness, is out now priced £14.99.

I cook quite a bit. Geezers don’t really

cook, do they?

DANIELSThe Quadrophenia icon, part-time Blur member and ex-EastEnders star shows us why he’s a true Blue loaded legend

103As top Mod Jimmy in Quadrophenia

Giving it some as mum’s fave, cheeky Kev Wicks, in ’Enders

A screw gets to grips with Phil asviolent crim, Richards, in Scum

It’s all a Blur for Phil in the ‘Parklife’ video

Words James Swanwick Pictures James Betts loaded legend talks Chelsea, foxtrots & celery

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Words Dan Moss Photos James Betts