Former First Minister opens up about voice coaching lesson from late James Bond star Sean Connery on ITV’s The Assembly
Sean Connery taught Nicola Sturgeon a unique voice lesson (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Nicola Sturgeon has opened up about a life lesson she received from James Bond legend Sean Connery.
The former First Minister of Scotland is appearing on ITV’s The Assembly, an interview programme featuring a group of autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning-disabled interviewers who question well-known celebrities, with absolutely nothing off limits.
Sturgeon features in the show’s second series, alongside the likes of Sir Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry, building on the success of Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Gary Lineker in the debut series.
In her episode, which airs tomorrow night, she courageously discusses a previous miscarriage, her marriage breakdown, her arrest and her views on Nigel Farage.
In a lighter moment, she also divulges a memorable lesson from Sean Connery, recounting her encounter with the Scottish icon, who portrayed the original James Bond across seven films between 1962 and 1983, reports the Daily Record.
She says, “He was cool to me,” adding, “He gave me a lesson in how to deepen my voice. He made me put a bit of paper between my teeth and just walk around speaking, and it deepened my voice.
“I think that’s quite a cool thing to say, ‘I had a voice coaching lesson from Sean Connery’.”
Prior to her appearance on the programme, the former Scottish National Party leader described the experience as “totally unique” in comparison to the countless TV interviews she had undertaken throughout her political career.
She told STV News: “There was no spin; just raw vulnerability on both sides.”
She continued: “I felt exhausted and really drained, but in a good way. It was a genuine rollercoaster of emotions – one minute I’d be laughing and the next, crying.”
Sturgeon added: “What I took from it was how cathartic it is to open up emotionally to a group of people with no agenda other than hearing honest answers – and to give my answers totally instinctively, without first putting them through the filter of how they might translate into hostile headlines.”
When asked to sum up filming The Assembly in three words, she responded: “Emotional. Fun. Inspiring,” before going on to heap praise on those who interviewed her.
“The Assembly members were brilliant. It’s not easy for anyone to put themselves in the TV spotlight – especially in today’s world – but the guts and the passion shown by them were incredible.
“They don’t need advice from me, but I do want them to know how much they inspired me. If I am forced to give any piece of advice, it would be: don’t listen to armchair critics. You are role models, so stand tall and be proud of what you have achieved.”
The Assembly continues 10pm Friday 10th April on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player