Much-loved singer-songwriter Paul Heaton heads to the countryside with some friends - including a hapless character played by Spencer Jones - in Andy Hylton's warm-hearted promo for My Favourite Kind Of Idiot. The five friends are off for a cycle in the country, while Rianne Downey, Heaton's co-singer on the track, is involved in a line-dancing party at the local manor - and looking for the right partner.The video was filmed at the picturesque Arley Hall & Gardens in Cheshire, one of the North West’s most recognisable historic estates. The location has become familiar to television audiences as a filming location for Peaky Blinders. But here the estate provides a very different atmosphere in this context - one of laughter, dancing and friendship."When it comes to creating music videos for Paul Heaton, there’s always a delicate balance to strike," Hylton explains. "His songs are packed with humour, warmth, and an unmistakably British sense of character. My Favourite Kind of Idiot was no exception. The challenge was to create a video that felt authentic to the song while capturing the playful spirit that has become a hallmark of Heaton’s visual storytelling."At the heart of the production was the magnificent Cruck Barn, a beautifully preserved 500-year-old timber structure that proved to be the perfect setting for the video’s line-dancing sequences. The barn’s rustic character and timeless charm immediately resonated with Heaton, who was keen to preserve the song’s country-inspired feel.To ensure the dancing felt authentic rather than staged, the production brought in a local line-dancing teacher who choreographed the sequences and recruited dancers from her own classes. Their enthusiasm and experience brought genuine energy to the scenes, transforming the historic barn into a lively celebration of music and movement.“Paul was very clear that he wanted the line-dancing element to feel real,” says Andy. “Bringing in local dancers gave us exactly that. The atmosphere in the barn was fantastic from the moment the music started.”The production also continued a tradition that has become something of a signature in Heaton’s videos: casting beloved comedy performers and character actors. Previous collaborations have featured the likes of Trevor and Simon, Phil Daniels and Pearce Quigley, all bringing their own distinctive personalities to Heaton’s visual world. For My Favourite Kind of Idiot, the team turned to Spencer Jones, a cult favourite of British comedy known for his surreal, physical style of performance, including his critically acclaimed BBC comedy The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk. Rather than playing a traditional character, Jones became an honorary member of the gang, a mischievous companion whose antics constantly threatened to derail an otherwise peaceful countryside outing.“Working with Spencer was an absolute joy,” says Andy Hylton. “He’s one of those rare performers who can make you laugh without saying a word. There were moments during the shoot where he genuinely reminded me of Charlie Chaplin, the way he uses physical comedy, timing and movement to tell a story is incredibly sophisticated, but it looks completely effortless. He’d find little bits of business between takes that would elevate a scene from amusing to unforgettable.”Hylton was particularly impressed by Jones’s willingness to throw himself into the cycling sequences - while riding a tandem. “Spencer seemed to treat the tandem like a BMX," he says. "He was trying bunny hops, lifting the front wheel into little wheelies and generally pushing the bike far beyond what it was designed for. The tandem became an extension of his character. The rest of the lads were doing their best to stay upright, while Spencer was making an entire comedy routine out of it.”According to Hylton, Spencer’s performance helped tie together the video’s themes of friendship, mischief and mid-life adventure. “The song is about embracing people for all their flaws and quirks, and Spencer embodies that perfectly. He’s the lovable idiot at the centre of the chaos. Every time he wandered into frame, something unexpected happened. That’s a gift for any director because it keeps the energy alive and makes everything around him feel spontaneous.”
Rob Ulitski - 1 hour ago
