News

Bodyguard star Richard Madden reveals plans to ‘escape’ limelight

He wants to be taken seriously as an actor

Richard Madden wants to ditch his newfound reputation as a sex symbol.

The star of BBC1 hit thriller Bodyguard fears it could affect how seriously he is taken as an actor.

Richard has also revealed his desire to flee the limelight by buying a house in the remote countryside of Scotland.

Richard as David Budd in the gripping Bodyguard finale (Credit: BBC)

Read more: Bodyguard series two: Everything we know so far

The 32-year-old, who plays Met Police protection officer David Budd in the drama, told the Daily Star of his “hunk” status: “I worry about it affecting my job.

“If people go, ‘Oh, you know, he’s that hunky thing’, that undermines that actually I am an actor.”

Richard spoke of his plans to escape the attention and get away from it all by living near his parents in Scotland.

Hand in hand with Ellie Bamber (Credit: SplashNews)

He said: “My aim is to buy a little place on the west coast to escape. It’s so gorgeous. I am also my happiest up there. It would be so quiet too.”

Richard played Robb Stark in Game of Thrones and became a household name alongside Keeley Hawes in Bodyguard.

The show became the most watched BBC drama in a decade, with 11 million viewers, and saw his character having a dangerous affair with Hawes’ Home Secretary Julia Montague.

Richard as David Budd with Keeley Hawes’ Julia (Credit: BBC)

Read more: Richard Madden pictured hand in hand with actress Ellie Bamber

She was killed off in a bomb blast, a moment that gripped the nation amid rumours that Julia had secretly survived and would make a shock return, although that didn’t happen.

Since his role, Richard has been tipped to become the next James Bond on the big screen.

11 million viewers watched the Bodyguard finale (Credit: BBC)

He has been romantically linked with 21-year-old actress Ellie Bamber and had a previous relationship with Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman.

Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook

Richard will soon be seen starring as Elton John’s lover and manager John Reid in the musical movie Rocketman.

Should Richard embrace his “hunk” status? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

Related Topics