I have always been captivated by television. As a young child in Bath, I eagerly consumed shows like Doctor Who, eager to uncover their behind-the-scenes magic. At 16, I had the audacity to inform a school career counselor of my aspiration to pursue a career in TV; she chuckled and remarked that the television industry was reserved for university graduates. She proposed I seek employment in retail. Disheartened, I begrudgingly accepted a position at a supermarket, yet I climbed the corporate ladder. They had a budget for producing corporate films, and I found myself directing and producing their training videos.
Then, in 1998, I came across an ad in a sci-fi publication seeking unpaid extras for Auton, a Doctor Who offshoot. I quickly submitted an application and was overjoyed to receive a call weeks later, offering me a role as a villager.
Walking onto set for the first time felt like a child in a candy store; it was everything I dreamt it would be. Eager to experience it again, I registered with an extra agency. I hoped for the occasional role, but to my astonishment, bookings began pouring in, and I discovered I could earn more as a full-time extra – or “background actor” – than in retail.
Over the years, I’ve clocked over 2,500 on-screen appearances, earning me a reputation as one of the most prolific extras in the UK. My appearance back then – slim, in my mid-30s and not particularly attractive – was sought after for roles as doctors, aristocrats in period pieces, police officers, and reporters. I was often cast as a newsreader to the extent that I started wrapping up with the same name repeatedly – Peter Sommers has announced news in at least 30 films and TV shows, leading to requests from directors.
Keen-eyed viewers may have noticed that, for a period, there was a singular GP appearing across British soap operas: me, simultaneously treating characters from Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, and Coronation Street. There was a group of us who frequently played detectives across four different crime shows, joking that it was remarkable any cases ever were solved given our hefty workload.
My television appearances paved the way for films: I had roles in Sherlock Holmes 2, as an assassin, and The Woman in Black, where I played Daniel Radcliffe’s butler. Most extra roles lack dialogue; however, sometimes a line or two comes your way.
My friends frequently catch glimpses of me on screen, but I have only been recognized by a stranger once. A woman approached me asking if I was the one racing in a child’s go-kart in a Pontins advertisement. I was more thrilled by the recognition than she was to spot me.
The most memorable day on set was when I met my wife, fellow background artist Neilum. We were cast as a married couple on the soap Doctors. I fell madly in love with her immediately and told her I’d propose for real one day. She later confessed she found me quite odd, but I must have grown on her as we tied the knot in 2013.
Since then, we’ve graced hundreds of shows together. People can see the authentic chemistry between us, which assisted us in securing roles. In 2015, our daughter India was born. We were offered extra work for her right away. She loved it when she was younger, but now at 10, she’s less interested.
I still desired to fulfill my directing aspirations, so I invested some funds into making my own film, which I take pride in and is currently on Netflix, though it didn’t yield much financial return. Then a friend presented me with a few days’ work as a runner on the set of Doctors. While most runners are in their early 20s, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to make tea and coffee at the age of 47.
Just a couple of years later, I ascended to the role of first assistant director on the show. I always ensure to treat the background artists kindly. Sadly, last year, Doctors was canceled after 24 years on air. I was devastated – my family wouldn’t have existed without that show. I did manage to leave a lasting impact though – I made sure Neilum and India appeared in the background as a mother and daughter in the finale scene.
In recent years, our extra work has taken a back seat. I’m occupied with directing and have authored several books about my experiences, while Neilum runs a chaperone agency. I’d never rule out appearing in a fantastic show if the right opportunity arose, but for now, I’m content to remain in the background.
As relayed to Heather Main
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