Simon Callow

Simon Callow as Charles Dickens

In a Hardtalk Extra programme broadcast on Monday 7 May, Gavin Esler talked to one of Britain's most acclaimed actors, Simon Callow.

Simon Callow is known as the "actor's actor", for his work both on and off the English stage.

He started his career under the guidance of Sir Laurence Olivier, and went on to find acclaim in several leading roles in the West End.

He has also starred in successful British films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, and carved out a second career as a biographer.

He tells Gavin Esler why Tony Blair never quite fulfilled his promise, made ten years ago, to make the arts part of the "core script" of New Labour government.

HARDtalk Extra can be seen on BBC World at 0330 GMT, 0830 GMT, 1430 GMT, and 1830 GMT.

It can also be seen on BBC News 24 at 04:30 and 23:30.