BritishAirways Highlife – May, 2012

Actor Richard E Grant reveals what’s in his suitcase
Richard E Grant photographed at the Como Melbourne, Australia
Liz Looker

I love flying but dread clacky dentures, obese snorers, new best friends and chewing gumsters

My golden rule is never to travel with anything other than hand baggage. It means never having to wait at a carousel — and takes a total of four and a half minutes to pack.

I always travel with a hand baggage-sized Heys pull-on that I was given at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005. I only pack an iPad, iPod, six T-shirts, two shirts, two pairs of jeans, socks, undies and an electric shaver. Anything else, I’ll buy wherever I land.

I love flying but dread clacky dentures, obese snorers, new best friends and chewing gumsters.

The most unusual thing I’ve brought back from a trip is a pair of French ?19th-century, child-sized shop mannequins, which I bought in Sydney. Security asked ?if I was people-smuggling.

My ideal travelling companions are my wife and daughter, preferably with hand luggage only. Well, a man can dream!
My last holiday was to the south of France — the memories are visible around my waist.

When I’m travelling abroad for extended periods, I miss the British sense of humour. I’d like it bottled and stocked in every mini-bar across the globe.

As official airline, BA is premiering on board its short film inspired by London 2012. The script was written by BA Great Briton Prasanna Puwanarajah, who was mentored by Richard E Grant. See the trailer at youtube.com/flybritishairways.

Interview: Jane Dunford