WhatsOnTV.co.uk – 21st February, 2014

Richard E Grant he feels he is taking a huge gamble by launching his own perfume.

The 56-year-old actor has produced unisex fragrance Jack, inspired by the British Union Flag and his love of smells.

Richard revealed: “It’s self-financed, self-made, everything, it’s been my passion for two years, it’s a big gamble.

“There are 1,100 perfumes released every year, so it’s like an old guy releasing a record and hoping people are going to buy it. But it’s really good.”

The Withnail And I star – who recently joined the cast of Downton Abbey – explained how designer Anya Hindmarch inspired him to make his own scent.

He said: “I’ve obsessively smelt everything all my life.

“Anya Hindmarch, the handbag designer, saw me with my head in a gardenia bush in the Caribbean two years ago, and she said, ‘Are you going to do something about that?’

“And I said, ‘What, psychiatrically?’ and she said, ‘No, make a perfume.’ So I have done.”