Only Fools and Horses actor Daniel Peacock spent more than four decades making a name for himself in television, however, he has now swapped the limelight for a job at a care home.
The 64-year-old actor, who played Mental Mickey in the hit BBC sitcom, has a newfound passion for helping others and has found the work more fulfilling than anything he's ever done, and said his new role has "made me a better person".
His love for supporting and assisting others began three years ago when he got his first "real job" with the lifestyles team at the care home. This came after his famous father, Trevor Peacock, who played Jim Trott in The Vicar of Dibley, was placed into a residential home due to his battle with dementia and Alzheimer's, inspiring Daniel to get involved and help others.
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Having just finished writing the second series of his TV comedy Marley's Ghosts at this time, he found himself at a loose end and decided to apply for a job out of his comfort zone.
In an interview with MyLondon, the actor explained how his son Charlie found him the job at Hastings Court, he said: "I bought a caravan in Kent as I thought I really wanted to get some solitude and I’ve always loved holiday parks. So there I am in my caravan writing every now and then, enjoying no pressure and stress.
"I started watching TV programs I’ve never watched before in my life, not the greatest but they were on TV. Then my son Charlie said 'Dad you’re watching way too much television' and suggested I get a job.
"At that time, I thought 'I don’t even know how to do anything else', he found me a job at Hastings Court."
Alongside the lifestyles team, Daniel goes the extra mile to ensure those he cares for are entertained, including the residents' families.
Daniel's father, Trevor, passed away in March 2021 after spending three years in a care home. As a result, his experience with his father ignited a new love for helping others worlds away from the television screen. He said: "Because my dad had been in a residential home, tragically, with the most awful disease Alzheimers, it was the first time I came face to face with this terrible condition and I wasn’t overly impressed with the care home. So when I got here at Hastings Court, it was like a very impressive hotel."
He added: "My dad died of that horrible disease but working here has made me a better person."
Daniel has helped set up a memory café at the care home, creating a support group for family members to go to and open up about their emotions. He said: "Sometimes people break down and cry, which they haven’t been able to do as they suppress it. We get lovely responses from family members, their handing over their loved ones to strangers. So it is important that the love they feel for their family members continues here at Hastings Court.
“I love my relationships and bonding with the residents. I’m taking a lady, Joan, for lunch tomorrow with my family, my treat, as her family has been on holiday. To be honest I can afford it and I don’t want to see Joanie upset.”
Although the screenwriter is an award-winning writer for his children's show 'Cave Girl', he has recently been nominated for a National Care Award 2022 and said it will be his proudest moment if he manages to win.
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