Comedy legend Richard Wilson has whipped out his iconic ‘I don’t believe it’ catchphrase in a funny sketch supporting a second EU referendum.
Grumpy Victor Meldrew star Wilson, 82, plays a customer enticed to a restaurant by an advert for a new dish – the ‘Brexit special’.
Written by comic actor and People’s Vote activist Grace Campbell, the sketch sees the chefs failing to agree on the ingredients to use, with the head chef sensationally quitting.
The chef is replaced by a ditherer out of her depth in the heat of the kitchen leaving the waitress, played by Campbell, in tears as she admits they cannot make the dish after all.
And when he asks for something else instead, Wilson is told that as so much time has been wasted trying to make the Brexit special, the kitchen is now closed.
When told he will still have to pay for the grub Wilson delivers his famous catchphrase: “I don’t believe it”.
The sketch was written by comedian and activist Grace Campbell, 24, the daughter of former Labour political aide Alastair Campbell.
Grace, who stars as the dithering waitress in the short film for the People’s Vote, said: “So many young people in particular feel that Brexit is going from bad to worse, and I just feel we all have to do what we can to campaign for the People’s Vote, and with the option to stay in the EU.
“I hope people see this and think ‘yes … you can send back a bad meal in a restaurant, so why can’t you send back a bad deal in a negotiation?’”
“I showed the sketch to my dad, who loved it, and I asked him to help me get a good actor for it. He said ‘there is only one man who can do this justice.'”
Wilson, who lives in St John’s Wood, north west London, made a rare cameo having suffered a heart attack and head injuries in a fall two years ago.
He said: “I was happy to help. I totally support the cause. I was very distressed by the referendum and I just think the whole thing is now a total mess.
“I really liked the sketch and I had great fun making the film with Grace.
“As we were filming, Mrs May was doing her statement after the Salzburg meeting where it all seemed to be falling apart.
“I hope we get a vote on the deal, because I really fear for where it is heading now.
“I have to pay for a meal which is advertised on the menu as the best thing since sliced bread but which they don’t know how to make. That is a very good Brexit metaphor.”
Grace added: ‘It was a total joy working with Richard. It’s not just that he is nice and funny, he is such a brilliant actor.
“I learned more in a single day’s filming with him than from practically anything I have done before.”
Proud dad Alastair said: “I was an extra at another table, and Grace kept telling me off because I just kept cracking up and ruined several takes.
“But there is a really serious point in the film. We keep being told there are only two routes on Brexit now – no deal or Mrs May’s Chequers deal. But her deal is dead.
“And no deal would be a killer for the country.
“The People’s Vote gives the country a way out. The politicians have screwed it up. The people have to take back control and have a say on the outcome.”
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