Larger-than-life actor and director Brian Blessed talks abouts cats climbing mountains and how he looks after the 'muddy' side of owning animals...

What is the most memorable cat you have met or owned?
When I was six I lived in South Yorkshire and we had a red tabby cat called Tibby who I absolutely adored.

How many cats do you have now and how long have you had them?
I’ve got four cats at the moment, there’s one stray cat who hangs around and I’ve recently acquired two rescue cats. I’ve also got Shadow, who is rather old now!

What is the best thing about having a cat?
Cats are so mysterious, they constantly amaze me!

I’ve read that you have around 2,000 animals! How do you fit looking after them into your busy schedule?
Yes, it does sometimes feel like I have 2,000 animals, especially when it comes to the cost but in reality it is a lot less than that. We are lucky enough to have three or four part-time helpers to assist us. I mostly feed and walk the dogs… the muddy bit in fact!

How did you prepare for your part as Old Deuteronomy in the musical Cats?
I prepared by imagining I was a furry Moses. Gentle, wise but very powerful, I combined this with the attributes of Buddha. I also played Bustopher Jones.

You are a renowned actor and a great adventurer, what do you feel has been your biggest achievement to date?
At the age of 57, I climbed Everest. I reached 28,400 feet without oxygen so I would have to say that’s definitely my greatest achievement so far.

You obviously love animals and the great outdoors, so what is it about the wild that is so appealing?
I feel part of nature, somehow joined to it. I also believe that we are here to protect the animals and are the guardians of our planet.

If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be and why?
I’d be a Blue Whale - it would be magical to swim in the deep oceans and see all the life at such depths.

The above article appeared in the Summer 2007 issue of Cats Protection's official magazine, The Cat.

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