Lee Latchford Evans

And now for today’s revelation: this writer is not only a film critic but also a budding filmmaker. In fact I have recently shot my first short film, Jump The Rails, in various locations in East London. I’ll tell you about it it again when post-production is over. Making it was a great experience, mostly thanks to my wonderful cast. The lead role was played by Lee Latchford Evans, the multi-talented former star of pop band Steps (Step One, Steptacular, Buzz). We chatted about music, theatre and celebrity.

People remember you as a member of Steps, but you also have an honourable acting career to rely on. When did that start?
I started off as a child in Colchester, really. I always dreamt of going to my own premiere. But me being me, I also wanted to do… everything else!, so I also took up music and musical theatre. At 15 I went with a friend to an audition for a school play, just to take the piss, and I got the lead role. Two months later I decided to go to drama school, which was a big surprise for my family, so I moved to London and entered the Royal Shakespeare Society. From there I was able to make a living off my theatre acting, I was in the cast of the West End production of Grease in 2007 and recently I started working in cinema.

Which film have you really enjoyed doing?
Every film for me is an occasion to learn something new, be it a big production or a low budget short film like your Jump The Rails. Recently I had a great time doing Ten Dead Men, a martial arts independent film by Ross Boyask. It’s not an intellectual flick but it’s very entertaining. It’s going to open in London at Seni Fighting Spirit Film Festival on April 26. By the way, yes, I’m also a martial artist; I have trained in karate for years and am currently studying to get my Personal Trainer diploma.  

Tell me about your musical career
I went into pop band Steps when I was 22. We were great for a while, not only in the UK but also in South East Asia and in Japan. In America we supported Britney Spears in her 1999 tour. We were very family orientated, kids and grandpas loved us! But  after a while, we just fell out, like a couple who doesn’t think it over but decides to split anyway without looking back. The moment had arrived to make a change. So I founded a rock band, The Latch, with my friend and guitarist Simon J. Pinto: we got good reviews but people were surprised at my change. Hopefully The Latch is going to be as successful as Steps were.

Has the show business changed you? Are you still the same Lee?
No, I don’t think the industry has really changed me. But fame, which is related, has. It’s more difficult for me to trust people, sometimes it’s even harder to let go in public: I find myself looking around to see if someone is watching me, is someone is taking pictures. It’s such a shame, I should learn and be more natural, but no one can teach you how to relate to fame. But you know, when I was striving to be a musician and an actor I used to walk with chest out, head up; now I always wear a hat and look down, so that people don’t recognize me. I haven’t jumped on a bus for years!  

If you had to choose between acting and singing…
That would be tough. In England there is this mindset that you can do only one thing otherwise it sounds strange; I think you should be able to do what you want, learn all you can and make the most of it. That’s why I followed both my passions. Until now I was able to manage my schedule and devote some time to my band and some to my films, but if one of the two really took off I’d be torn because I love to choose what to do. But this is so unrealistic that I don’t worry about it now.

Next project?
It’s a British gangster movie called Fight Back, directed by Martin Thomas. I play the part of a corrupt policeman who delves in sex, drugs and money. It’s a nice change from my usual type of characters, I like the shock factor in it. I’ve always played the good guy, the best friend, the guy the girl falls for. This is me, to a certain degree, but as I said before it’s important that the audience can see a different side to what I can do.  

More info on www.thelatchofficial.com