Ronald keeps his addresses secret.  He spends the week near ATVs Midlands studios in a flat 'somewhere in Birmingham', and the weekends at his London house 'south of the river.'

 

"I know it sounds silly but it's a practical thing," he says.  In his early days in regular television he was pesteted by women fans.

 

"Now I'm not in the phone book and I've learnt not to let the public know where I live.  Nolly (Noele Gordon) had terrible problems when someone published exactly where she lived.  She had fans coming to see her by the coach load.  She appreciated why they came but it was one of the reasons why she had to sell.  I hope that never happens to me.  I maintain I'm not in showbusiness.  I'm an actor.  I could be doing another job, say Shakespeare, any moment. 

 

"We have a great duty to the fans, but I must preserve some kind of privacy.  I feel guilty though about not doing as much publicity as I feel I should.  I tend to concentrate on the work.  Others in the show do a lot for publicity.  That's fine, but it's not me.  Over the years people have asked me if they could start a fan club for me.  I've always said thank you, but no.  I like the freedom of being a freelance actor, which is how I see myself.  I don't know what I might be doing next year.  I could be on the dole, but I wouldn't be worrying about where the next meal was coming from.  I've been lucky in that I've built up some security over the years.  I've a nice house in London, which I let partly, and no mortgages or bank loans.  I've a few antiques which I bought because I like them and they were at the right price."