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Mamma Mia! star Hugh Skinner on mean tweets, Cher and playing a young Colin Firth

Jonathan Prime
Jonathan Prime

Hugh Skinner, 33, spent last year in Croatia filming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, in which he shines as young banker Harry Bright, played in the original film by Colin Firth. He’s had roles in Les Misérables, Poldark, Fleabag, even a cameo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, though he’s best known as Will Humphries in W1A. Here’s what he makes of the world.

Home is…

Brixton. I’m in a top-floor flat and the heat is outrageous. I tried to do the washing up with the cold tap on.

Your London oasis?

Tate Modern. It’s air-conditioned and it’s nice when you’ve got time to kill.

Song that makes you dance like no one’s watching?

Life Itself by Glass Animals.

Go-to excuse for leaving a party?

I run without saying goodbye — my friends call it “doing a Houdini”.

Apps you can’t live without?

Uber, Deliveroo. I love Franco Manca.

Last time you cried?

When I saw the Pixar film Coco.

Who’s your hero?

Cher. Those kind of icons seem so mysterious, but then you meet them and they’re actually just gracious, talented and intelligent.

What was it like playing a young Colin Firth?

To begin with, daunting, but I focused on the part and not trying to be Colin.

Meanest tweet?

I don’t know, I’m not on social media.

Weirdest thing a fan sent you?

When I was doing Les Mis someone sent me a collection of pencil rubbers.

Outfit to be buried in?

The one I wear near the end of Mamma Mia! — blue satin dungarees. It’s a powerful look.

Favourite Mamma Mia! song?

When I Kissed the Teacher, because I’d not heard it before. I love Angel Eyes too. Christine Baranski and Julie Walters were phenomenal in that.