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Rowan Atkinson reveals why he refuses to watch Line of Duty or read reviews of his own work

Rowan Atkinson won't read his own reviews  - James Mason for British GQ credit:Bang Showbiz
Rowan Atkinson won't read his own reviews - James Mason for British GQ credit:Bang Showbiz

Rowan Atkinson refuses to watch 'Line of Duty'.

The 'Blackadder' legend admitted while he knows the BBC One police corruption drama is "a brilliant show", he couldn't bring himself to watch anything after the first series because it was "too stressful".

Speaking at GQ Heroes in association with BMW at Soho Farmhouse, he said: "I don’t like stressful television ... I can’t stand watching 'Line of Duty', which is a brilliant show.

"I watched the first series and thought it was absolutely brilliant, and then I started watching the second series and I found that I just couldn’t watch it because I was finding it too stressful because you know that things are going to go wrong.

"It’s brilliantly written and made but I don’t like that kind of TV.”

He was speaking during a session with Miranda Sawyer entitled ‘40 Years of Playing Extraordinary Fools’, as Rowan reflected on his storied career.

The 67-year-old star revealed he won't read any reviews for his own films or TV shows because he isn't making them for critics.

He added: "One of the reasons why I don’t listen to pundits or read reviews… is because I don’t feel the need, because they’re not the people I’m trying to entertain.

"The two parties I’m trying to entertain is me and the intended audience, the audience out there, the general public.

"Not the people who are making a noise between me and them.”

The comedy veteran previously admitted he also finds it "stressful and exhausting" playing his beloved Mr. Bean character because of the "weight of responsibility".

Explaining the difference between the animated and live action versions, he said: "It’s easier for me to perform the character vocally than visually. I don’t much enjoy playing him.

"The weight of responsibility is not pleasant. I find it stressful and exhausting, and I look forward to the end of it."