'I tried it but no luck': Sir Michael Gambon reveals his failed attempts to seduce his glamorous co-star Joanne Whalley on The Singing Detective

PUBLISHED: 00:42, 28 July 2015 | UPDATED: 01:17, 28 July 2015

It was one of the most memorable TV dramas of the 1980s and a milestone in the career of Sir Michael Gambon.

Now it appears 74-year-old Sir Michael has more reasons than most to remember The Singing Detective after he confessed to attempting to seduce his glamorous co-star in the show, Joanne Whalley, 24 years his junior.

Sir Michael, who was then 46 and married to wife Anne Miller, said he had 'no luck' – despite the encouragement of the show's creator Dennis Potter.

The actor played writer Philip E Marlow in the BBC drama, who was often in hospital with a severe skin condition.

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Sir Michael Gambon revealed that he tried to seduce his co-star Joanne Whalley (pictured together) on The Singing Detective

During his treatment he begins to imagine himself as a detective who sings at a dance hall. Miss Whalley played Nurse Mills, who looks after the bed-ridden Marlow.

Asked about his recollections starring along the actress, then 22, he told an audience at the BFI Southbank in London: 'I just thank God I was in the show.

'And Joanne Whalley? I tried it but no luck. I loved Joanne Whalley. I got to know her quite well. I tried. Even Dennis Potter whispered to me when we were talking about her and he said 'Any luck?'.'

One scene feared Sir Michael's character having lotion applied to his body by Miss Whalley's character to ease the pain of his skin condition.

Sir Michael said he had 'no luck' with the actress (left) despite the encouragement of the show's creator Dennis Potter

The actor joked: 'The greasing was good. We rehearsed it ten times.'

The series ran for six episodes in 1986 and was watched by more than five million people when it was broadcast on Sunday evenings.

But Sir Michael added: 'It is a horrible thing to say but I have never really seen the show. I have been too frightened to see it.

'But my memories of it are great. I was frightened all the time of being told off by Dennis Potter and not doing something right. I just thank God I was in it. The show made me proud to have been in it. It makes your life feel better.'

It was shortly after filming The Singing Detective that Miss Whalley went on to star in fantasy film Willow, where she met Hollywood star Val Kilmer.

The pair wed two years later before divorcing in 1996 after an eight-year marriage.

In 1989 she played call girl Christine Keeler in the 1989 film Scandal. Earlier this year she appeared as Catherine of Aragon in the BBC drama Wolf Hall.

Sir Michael is one of Britain's most prolific actors on stage, television and film and was knighted in 1998.

He is currently in a relationship with set designer Philippa Hart. They have two children.

Earlier this year the star revealed he was bringing the curtain down on his 53-year stage career as memory loss has left him unable to learn his lines.

The actor admitted it was 'heart-breaking' to have to quit theatre.

Sir Michael Gambon joins guests at Royal arts reception in 2014