Danny Horn - Awkward Dr Who smoochage

There are two types of people on this planet: People people...and Fireworks.
You know the kind: Someone you saw, at a certain place or time who said or did a certain something that completely blew your mind. I don't think I can say it any better than Jack Kerouac when he wrote in his classic On The Road

[Katy Perry's "fireworks" was inspired by this exact line!]

"But then they danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Ahhh!'"

Enter, Danny Horn. Either you've heard of him or you haven't...You probably haven't. But if you have, then chances are that like me, you first saw him either on You Tube as this incredible singer who croons his own tunes, or as a guest star in Dr Who A Christmas Carol.[Click the link to see the episode!] 

Danny Horn is the stage name of Daniel George Horn (born 08 January, 1989), a London born acting student from Ilkley, West Yorkshire. At the age of three, Horn told his parents that he wanted to become an actor because he was mad about Superman. Although his motivations for acting have evolved, he still proudly stands by the fact that Superman was the reason he began acting.

Lucky girl that I am, I managed to bag an interview with the still blossoming actor who's got a dazzling future ahead of him.

Doctor Who Related Questions 
[If you don't watch Dr Who, then just skip straight to the personal questions section =)]

1. Lets start off easy, when did filming for the Dr Who Christmas special begin?

It was the first Monday after finishing my degree at Central School of Speech and Drama where I'd spent the last 3 years and I had this Doctor Who audition. [It was] By far the most exciting audition I'd had since I signed with my agent, so I was incredibly nervous but went in and did my best. I found out on Wednesday that I got the part and on Thursday morning, I was in Cardiff sitting next to Michael Gambon, opposite Steven Moffat reading though the script. I was beside myself with terror!

The next Monday I was onset, in costume acting nose to nose with Matt Smith with the TARDIS behind me. It was mad. But to stop digressing and actually answer your question, we shot the episode in July and August.

2. So was there anything Christmasy going on behind set?

Well this was one of the weirdest things. We'd be working on set, covered in tinsel, eating christmas dinner and feeling, generally festive. Then we'd go outside and be greeted with sweltering summer heat and people walking around in shorts, so it was like flipping between two extremes, you know? I remember thinking it was nice to have a little christmas break in the midst of summer.

3. How did your friends and family react to you appearing on Dr Who...Like, was there a lot of partying going on?

Obviously they were all very excited as well as being totally shocked (as I was). I really had no time to do any partying though... I took my girlfriend out for dinner to celebrate which was very lovely. [Aww...] That's as close as it got to partying.

4. Very important question. Are you a fan of Dr Who?

Oh yeah! I, like most people my age, got into it when the show got 'regenerated' in 2005 and I thought it was just brilliant. So clever, so funny - and SO exciting. Then Tenant came in and I loved him and Matt, I think has done an amazing job. I thought Series 5 was fantastic; particularly Vincent and The Doctor.

5. We know that Karen Gillan first appeared as a guest star in Dr Who, Fires of Pompeii before returning as Amy pond, the doctor's companion. If you could come back as a different character, who or what would you like to play?

Good question... I'd love to play The Master. All of the Doctors quirks and energy but with a much darker side - what a treat that would be for an actor. And to be honest, I'd love to play The Doctor but so does and every other actor in britain!

Michael Gambon...sounded familiar?

6. Who was the most impressive person you met while filming Dr Who?

It has to be Michael Gambon. He's been one of my biggest hero's for years, ever since I started taking acting seriously. So it was a huge honour and a privilege to work with him. And he's so cool! And funny! And friendly! Ah, he was great.

7. And the kissing scene was...

In no way romantic. Kissing in front of a crew of 30 men pointing big shiny machines in your face sucks any romance way out of the equation. We were both just quite embarrassed to be honest. Katherine has a boyfriend and I have a girlfriend so we had to go in as professionally as possible. Laughing about it helps. It's all so ridiculous really.

8. So far, whats the fallout from appearing in Dr Who?

It's sort of too early to say. I get lots of letters and messages which are always so lovely, but that's the only real difference in my life. I'm still a struggling actor without much money!

9. Amy Pond is hot.

More of a statement than a question, but one I'm sure an awful lot of people would whole heartedly agree with. [They did!]

Personal Questions:

1. Ok, fun time. What do you see yourself as? (An actor, a human, a vegetable)

Are those three my only options? Because I'm always a human, when I'm working I'm an actor, and on Tuesdays I'm a Cucumber.

2. On a scale of 1 to ten, how vain are you?

I'd like to say not very, but to be totally honest, I'm probably a little bit vain. Only a little bit.

3. What is your special talent?

Breaking bones. I've broken about 9.

5. Pretend you're god for a day, what would you do?

I'd blow away all the greenhouse gasses poisoning the earth, I reckon.

6. Dumbest thing anyone ever asked you

Someone asked me, how long had you been an opera singer? Answer: never.

7. Is being an actor hard?

It's brilliant because it's hard. There's so many challenges with every part you play, and you're always learning - you never stop. It's great though, I feel very lucky to be doing it.

8. Are you single?

No, I have a wonderful girlfriend. Also an actress - a cracking one.

9. Do you want to be single?

I'm alright, thanks.

10. You're stuck in the Tardis, what do you do?

Go for a swim in the library.