“I’VE done a lot of films – and quite a lot of rather bad ones.”

Dudley Sutton’s opening line is no doubt said with a twinkle in his eye.

The actor has indeed starred in many films in a career spanning seven decades. But a glance at his filmography reveals an impressive list of credits – and not all of them “stinkers”, as he delights in calling them.

One of his very early films – The Boys – is certainly not in that category. Darlington Film Club is hosting a 55th anniversary screening of the movie next month, after which Sutton will be appear on stage for a live question and answer session.

He is the latest in a series of guests the club, on the town’s Borough Road, has attracted, following packed audiences for the likes of Robin Asquith, Fenella Fielding and Madeline Smith.

Sutton is prod of his work on The Boys, a film rarely seen these days.

“It’s really a film with an anti capital punishment message, something I was quite passionate about at the time.,” he says.

“It was great because I got a chance to play what was almost a Teddy Boy and that was great fun.”

But it is the “stinkers”, those films which were perhaps not up to the mark, which will provide the richest material for him to mine on the evening.

However, he is keeping those tales close to his chest, preferring to keep them for the live audience.

“Anybody can ask any questions they like about any of my films,” he says. “But I’m not giving away my best stories now.”

Despite his long and varied career, Sutton knows the role which he will always be best known for is that of Tinker Dill alongside Ian McShane in the much-loved TV series Lovejoy.

“It’s what they’re going to say on my obituary when I die, regardless of all the different and diverse stuff I’ve done throughout my life,” he says.

But he doesn’t resent the fact, and is instead grateful to be associated with a show still held in great affection.

“It’s good fun because Lovejoy is so popular throughout the world, wherever you go. But people recognise Tinker, they don’t recognise Dudley Sutton.”

Now aged 84, Sutton is still working and enjoys the opportunity to interact with audiences in events like those in Darlington.

“I don’t get much work these days because of my age, but the stuff I’m doing these days I enjoy tremendously,” he says.

“Each phase of my career, so to speak, has had its adventures and it’s exciting to be able to reminisce.”

He is hoping the Darlington audience will provide him with some challenging questions, for which he may not have a prepared answer.

“What you don’t want is a lot of pat, prepared answers,” he adds. “It’s good to be caught on the hop.”

  •  Darlington Film Club presents The Boys, followed by an on-stage talk and Q&A with Dudley Sutton on Monday, October 2, at 7.30pm.
  • Tickets, priced £10, are available from The Forum, on Borough Road, Darlington – telephone 01325-363135 – or by visiting the film club’s Facebook page.