David Suchet is giving The Price role everything as it 'may be my very last job'

David Suchet says he is taking his career one job at a time as he feels each could be his last.

The Poirot star, 72, opened up about losing several of his close friends in recent years as he announced that his latest play, The Price, is coming to the West End after an acclaimed run in Bath. The actor is still very much at the top of his game, having just appeared in the BBC One drama Press.

He said: “The Price may be my very last job — who knows what happens in life. I’m losing so many dear friends now — Tim Pigott-Smith for example [the Bafta-winning star who died suddenly from natural causes last year aged 70] — you don’t know what happens to you at any point in life. So any work I’m given I like to think I’ll give 100 per cent of what I’m capable of giving for that reason.”

Suchet will once again star opposite Brendan Coyle in director Jonathan Church’s production, which comes to the Wyndham’s Theatre in February, marking the play’s 50th anniversary.

He said he would be dedicating his performance in Arthur Miller’s play about dealing with death, to another actor who passed away early.

He added: “It came to London with David Bower playing my role at the National Theatre in around 1969. I then played this role in 1972 at the Water Mill in Newbury in 1972 when I was a young man for a very small number of performances. So I’ve known this play for a very long time.

“Dear David Bower —I got to know his family as he appeared with me in The Fantasticks, a lovely musical. He suffered a very early heart attack. Part of the joy of playing this role is remembering him — it will be in his honour.”

Suchet’s character is a furniture salesman, and he says he will be drawing on his experience from one of his first jobs when he was a struggling actor. He added: “This character sits very well with me. He was a salesman and one of my first ever jobs was working in Moss Bros in Covent Garden. I used to fit a lot of politicians at the time into their evening wear — it was all very embarrassing as I was trying desperately to become an actor.”

The Price is at the Wyndham’s Theatre from February 5 to April 27.