Suchet complains over "luvvie" label

Poirot star David Suchet has claimed that it is "a great shame" when actors are branded "luvvies".

The 64-year-old, who has played Agatha Christie's fictional detective on screen since 1989, said that the term is only used in England and has damaged the country's acting industry.

Speaking to The Stage, Suchet remarked: "The worst thing that ever happened to our profession - and it's only happened in England and it certainly wouldn't happen in America - is the word 'luvvie', because it's a derogatory word to denote an actor and, as a result of it, the public generally has lost a great respect for the acting profession.

"The role of an actor in America, Eastern Europe and in Western Europe - everywhere apart from this country - is considered a very serious job and a very necessary function. Here we are just luvvies, which is a great shame."

Suchet's latest project Going Postal, based on the novel by Terry Pratchett, will air on Sky1 over the Bank Holiday weekend.