We believe that you were sole candidate for the role of Billy. Shooting took eight weeks so were you officially pardoned from school or you had to learn in the evenings?

Actually, there were three young teenagers vying for the role of Billy. The other two  boys were of school leaving age whereas I was two years from leaving school, which I thought didn’t bode well for me - being so much younger than Billy. As it happens,
the last audition (an improvisation of the library scene) convinced director, Ken Loach to offer me the role. We shot the film throughout the summer holidays of ’68, so the school was officially closed during the shoot. Each week day (including Saturday), would begin for me at 6-30; I had a newspaper job, delivering the morning newspapers until I was asked to put my job on hold by producer, Tony Garnett - due to my heavy workload. Filming began around 8 a.m, and would conclude late afternoon, whereupon I would be driven to train the kestrels (we had 3 named after a famous shoe shop: FREEMAN, HARDY and WILLIS). After working with the birds for an hour or so (learning how to be a falconer), I’d then return home for dinner. Then I would begin learning my lines for the following day’s schedule.

When shooting was finished and then film released with great success did the schoolmates and teachers take you differently, with more respect or on contrary you became the target of their “jealousy?”

The film was premiered in the north of England from February 1970, and would go onto break box office and attendance records across the entire country. By now I was in my final year at school, swotting over forthcoming exams. However, my school life
was upended with an offer of work from the BBC and Granada TV. An understanding headmaster, who witnessed my raw talents grow from my first year in school, gave me permission to take on these TV roles. And coupled with myriad KES attendances
at cinema screenings, meant my education came to a premature end. A children’s TV series occupied me ’til school broke up for summer. Six months later, I was heading for a contract with The National Theatre at the Old Vic, under the watchful eye of Sir
Laurence Olivier; working with the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins, Derek Jacobi, Joan Plowright and many more highly talented actors.

I don’t recall any jealousy from my school peers after KES was released. I think the whole school was riding a tsunami of compliments from the press far and wide, and in a way joined in with the positive feedback. My relationship with teachers didn’t
really change at all either. I was rather a precocious lad, who exhibited a willingness to engage with, and challenge my tutors - which they seemed to appreciate.

KES opened up opportunities without question, which led to numerous overseas ventures; combining my love of travel with work

In film you were underdog, no friends, teachers were hostile. Was it the same in your real life so you basically didn't have to act, only transfer your everyday experience on the screen?

Billy and me were like ‘chalk and cheese.’ Our lives could not have been more dissimilar. Besides having many friends and getting on well with my teachers, I loved football (plus other sports), and exhibited an out-going nature. What was absolutely
crucial in terms of similarity between Billy and myself was that we shared the same local accent - as well as being infused with northern life in a working class ‘colliery’ community. I guess one could say we’re Yin / Yang to a large extent; thus delving into his nature and personality then bringing him to life on screen was the ‘challenge.’

How did your parents like the film, were they proud at you? Did it “improve“ the situation of your family in town, you were “stars“ now?

Yes, my parents were very pleased at seeing the film. However, neither of them realized, what a ‘defining moment’ it would be in my young life. I left home before the age of seventeen - my dad continued to be a coal miner while mum was a house
cleaner at a local bakery. My parents would chuckle at thought of being celebrities. “Water off a duck’s back,” Dad would say; having a pint with his mates in a pub. 

Was Kes success your ticket to better world? Can you imagine what would have happen in your life if Ken Loach didn’t choose you?

KES opened up opportunities without question, which led to numerous overseas ventures; combining my love of travel with work. I don’t know how my life would have turned out had KES not happened, but looking back at all the serendipitous moments
that creatively melded together, it is fair to say it has changed a lot of peoples’ lives. 

Did Ken Loach offer you some other collaboration and you declined or that was one-off project? Did you stay in touch or went your separate ways?

Our working relationship was solely KES, with no other collaboration discussed during our lifetime friendship. I visited Ken, and his lovely wife, Lesley just a few months ago. It is a privilege to be a friend of the family. A story that began in the
summer of ’68. 

You only made 7 films, some TV work and some theatre and in 80´s the career stopped. What happened, you weren´t required or you didn´t push hard enough to get the job?

Yes, in the 80’s I made a conscious decision to step (temporarily) away from the business. It required me to leave London, and sever representational ties with a high profile agency. That said, people know I’m still around with the agency who now
represents me: Esta Charkham Assoc.

Looking back, are you upset that your career didn´t blossom much more or happy that you became known after your first film?

I’m not the kind of person who defines one’s career in that way. My adventures on TV, Film and in theatre represent one’s professional life - but they can never tell the whole story. I have been blessed with so many special moments in my life, and have
worked with a plethora of the ‘acting elite’ during my time.  How can a person be disappointed for being known mostly for his first film? KES and Billy continue resonating through each generation, as a force for good - and that is my legacy. In the center of my home town is a bronze statue of Billy, admiring Kes perched on his falconry glove. Funds are currently being raised for a replica of the statue to be erected alongside the Leicester Square celebrity bronzes. Billy and Kes also appeared at the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012… so how could I possibly feel any hint of bitterness.

It is a privilege to be a friend of the Ken Loach and his family

Do you think that such a success of Kes paradoxically harmed you since people expected a lot from you and compared and maybe that never happened and they lost interest?
Quite frankly, it never crossed my mind to reflect that way about my professional career. I was too immersed living life’s adventures.

Did you keep an interest in falconry afterwards or it ended after filming?
Not an active participant, but as a patron of a falconry center near Newcastle. John Kirtley at Riverside Falconry has an amazing collection of raptors, and is doing great things in the community. We’ve been good friends for a number of years now,
and he’s a real falconer! 

Almost 60 years after the Kes, you are still loved, invited and meet people influenced by that film. Do you think the reason is that they identified with you and your fight against authorities?

To some degree, l guess. But it’s much more than that. The general public and one’s peers have expressed their appreciation of the film down the years, and how Billy impacted on their lives. The story of KES highlighted many social issues in such an honest and realistic way. It also told a wonderful relationship between a boy and a small raptor - intermingled with other colorful cast contributions that make it so real.

From such humble beginnings as pages in a novel back in early 1968, to becoming a bronze sculpture in Leicester Square in 2028, Billy has defied the test of time, and become a national hero that has spread worldwide.

Thank you very much.

Photos, thanx: David Charles, IMDb, archiv D. Bradley