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RICHARD CAMBRIDGE ON HOLLYOAKS BULLY PETE WEBSTER
Monday 19th November
To raise awareness of this Anti Bullying Week we are bringing you an exclusive interview with Richard Cambridge who reveals just what it's like to play resident bully Pete Webster....
Monday 19th November
To raise awareness of this Anti Bullying Week we are bringing you an exclusive interview with Richard Cambridge who reveals just what it's like to play resident bully Pete Webster....
CHARMING AND EVIL
What is it like playing a character like Pete Webster?
Pete isn't really one dimensional and I wasn't sure what was going to happen with him at first. I couldn't have asked for better character to play as he is very nice and charming to everyone but then he has this evil streak. I see him as a school boy who hasn't quite grown up yet he is used to getting his own way. It's a great opportunity for me to play a character like Pete.
Why do you think Pete chooses Tina to bully?
I have a theory that Pete has had his ego dented, I don't think he's a bad person, everyone loves him and he's in this school environment and where is his next challenge? He has his career and is respected and people think he's fantastic. I think it's significant that Tina is married. She isn't the most gorgeous girl on the block and Pete thinks he can have anyone he wants. She turns him back and I don't think he's ever had that happen in his life and he's a bit put out. His only real point in being nasty to her is to get his own way.
Have you ever been bullied yourself?
I think everyone experiences a bit of bullying at school but I couldn't say I was massively bullied and the incidences I have experienced make a difference to how I am today. I was never part of the cool group or the really un-cool group; I was just myself. I think it's a shame that people are bullied for being different when it is actually the differences in people that make them interesting and who they are. It's fantastic to be different and it's what makes things interesting.
What is it like playing a character like Pete Webster?
Pete isn't really one dimensional and I wasn't sure what was going to happen with him at first. I couldn't have asked for better character to play as he is very nice and charming to everyone but then he has this evil streak. I see him as a school boy who hasn't quite grown up yet he is used to getting his own way. It's a great opportunity for me to play a character like Pete.
Why do you think Pete chooses Tina to bully?
I have a theory that Pete has had his ego dented, I don't think he's a bad person, everyone loves him and he's in this school environment and where is his next challenge? He has his career and is respected and people think he's fantastic. I think it's significant that Tina is married. She isn't the most gorgeous girl on the block and Pete thinks he can have anyone he wants. She turns him back and I don't think he's ever had that happen in his life and he's a bit put out. His only real point in being nasty to her is to get his own way.
Have you ever been bullied yourself?
I think everyone experiences a bit of bullying at school but I couldn't say I was massively bullied and the incidences I have experienced make a difference to how I am today. I was never part of the cool group or the really un-cool group; I was just myself. I think it's a shame that people are bullied for being different when it is actually the differences in people that make them interesting and who they are. It's fantastic to be different and it's what makes things interesting.
EGO
If you were Tina what would you do or say to Pete?
I think Tina hasn't realised that she has dented his ego, I think if she'd given him a bit of lip back, which Tina would never do, then things wouldn't have gone so far. But instead she has gone to his mum who has double-dented his ego and then potentially what he's decided now is that he either has to get rid of her or make her life hell to get the better of her. It's all about power play. We will see a lot more of Pete ordering Tina about and then when she reacts he is just amused and laughs, it's all a game to him.
What do you think of the viewer's reaction to Pete Webster?
The viewer's reaction has been as I expected. They have been surprised and said it's a shame that Pete turned out to be nasty and that's exactly what I was going for so that the audience is taken in by Pete just as everyone else in his life is. Everyone expected Pete to be a nice guy and he isn't that typical slime ball because of the juxtaposition between his two personalities.
Do you think that Pete always had his sights set on bullying Tina or that it is a gradual thing?
I don't think he sets his sights on her but because he doesn't have a challenge Tina just becomes a bit of a game to him. Tina has a lot of morals and a basis that things shouldn't be happening this way. I think that Tina is a conquest for him. I think if he'd met the rest of Tina's family then he wouldn't be messing with her!
If you were Tina what would you do or say to Pete?
I think Tina hasn't realised that she has dented his ego, I think if she'd given him a bit of lip back, which Tina would never do, then things wouldn't have gone so far. But instead she has gone to his mum who has double-dented his ego and then potentially what he's decided now is that he either has to get rid of her or make her life hell to get the better of her. It's all about power play. We will see a lot more of Pete ordering Tina about and then when she reacts he is just amused and laughs, it's all a game to him.
What do you think of the viewer's reaction to Pete Webster?
The viewer's reaction has been as I expected. They have been surprised and said it's a shame that Pete turned out to be nasty and that's exactly what I was going for so that the audience is taken in by Pete just as everyone else in his life is. Everyone expected Pete to be a nice guy and he isn't that typical slime ball because of the juxtaposition between his two personalities.
Do you think that Pete always had his sights set on bullying Tina or that it is a gradual thing?
I don't think he sets his sights on her but because he doesn't have a challenge Tina just becomes a bit of a game to him. Tina has a lot of morals and a basis that things shouldn't be happening this way. I think that Tina is a conquest for him. I think if he'd met the rest of Tina's family then he wouldn't be messing with her!
MANIPULATING
What lengths can we expect to see Pete go to in the coming weeks?
Well his aim at the moment is his own amusement and to wind Tina up. He gets her to do a lot of demeaning jobs that will make her feel worthless. He is very aware of the fact that Tina is married so he sort of bares that in mind and meddles a bit there. I think that because Tina was excited and wants to make a career for herself that Pete can manipulate that situation by seeing how far he can push her.
Will we see Pete get his comeuppance?
We should do shouldn't we, I certainly don't like Pete much. No one in HOLLYOAKS is that nasty and gets away with. There has to be some sort of comeuppance. All I'll say is that his comeuppance will be very amusing.
What lengths can we expect to see Pete go to in the coming weeks?
Well his aim at the moment is his own amusement and to wind Tina up. He gets her to do a lot of demeaning jobs that will make her feel worthless. He is very aware of the fact that Tina is married so he sort of bares that in mind and meddles a bit there. I think that because Tina was excited and wants to make a career for herself that Pete can manipulate that situation by seeing how far he can push her.
Will we see Pete get his comeuppance?
We should do shouldn't we, I certainly don't like Pete much. No one in HOLLYOAKS is that nasty and gets away with. There has to be some sort of comeuppance. All I'll say is that his comeuppance will be very amusing.
FIND OUT MORE
BACKSTAGE VIDEO- Watch Jenny Biddall say her farewells as she leave the show.
BEAUTY SALON- Be as gorgeous as the cast with our beauty salon.
MUSIC- check out how you can enter our 4Unsigned Get Played on HOLLYOAKS competition
BACKSTAGE VIDEO- Watch Jenny Biddall say her farewells as she leave the show.
BEAUTY SALON- Be as gorgeous as the cast with our beauty salon.
MUSIC- check out how you can enter our 4Unsigned Get Played on HOLLYOAKS competition
