Cornish-born actor, Patrick Legge plays as wartime leader Winston Churchill during a dramatic head-on clash with the Admiralty’s top brass in Sky History channel’s docu-drama U-Boat Wargamers.

The actor currently playing  Churchill in the six-part television drama-documentary series says the role is ‘‘not for the faint-hearted”. 

U-Boat Wargamers (Tuesdays at 9pm) recreates the fraught and sometimes bad-tempered relationship between Churchill and the top brass of the Admiralty, in early 1943 when naval losses in the North Atlantic were heavy.

Preparing for the role, Legge listened to all Churchill’s famous speeches and radio broadcasts to capture the wartime PM’s distinctive voice and use of English. 

Churchill’s explosive outbursts; his use of colourful language and his ability to use words as weapons were all part of the actor’s preparation process.

Redruth-born Patrick, 63, the first Cornish-born actor to play Churchill on television, now spits his time between Threemilestone, Cardiff and London. 

Patrick has family and friends in Truro, Illogan and  Perranwell. He said: “We all know about Churchill’s ironic cigar, the trademark Homburg hat, the brilliant sarcasm and the famous wartime speeches. 

“The real key to unlocking his character is how he balanced the many pressures and tensions of the war with the grave responsibilities as leader of the nation. 

“Capturing the complexities within Churchill’s character is not for the faint-hearted.’’

Patrick is the latest in a long line of actors – around 60 in all, from Richard Burton and Robert Hardy to Gary Oldman – to have portrayed the iconic wartime leader on film or on TV. 

The actor, voice-over artist and cruise ship lecturer says clues to Churchill’s complex character are found in his early life and chequered personal history.

‘’It’s easy to forget that in the period leading up to 1940, Churchill was considered by London’s political and social elite as someone bordering on the absurd. 

“He was a bumbling, unsophisticated and verbally direct figure on the fringe of Westminster’s ‘inner circle’.’’

As Prime Minister, Churchill’s mental health was a constant concern to his family and to the wartime Cabinet. “The toll the war took on Churchill was immense,’’ said Patrick.

“His mental health – what he called his ‘black dog’ of depression – deteriorated. At the time, this was hushed up to protect Churchill’s heroic image.”

Patrick recognises Churchill’s position as one of the greatest communicators of the 20th century.

‘‘Churchill was able to use the English language like a weapon. 

“He also used perfectly-chosen words to ‘paint’ vivid and heroic images. That’s why actors relish playing him.’’    

Now in the run-up to King Charles’ Coronation in May and National Armed Forces Week in June, Patrick is preparing a series of special performances and appearances as Churchill, entitled “The Churchill Experience”.

‘’People like the idea of bringing history to life,’’ says Patrick. ‘‘That could be on TV or hearing Churchill’s famous speeches performed live at a commemorative event or stage show. Almost 60 years after his death, Churchill’s complex character still has the power to fascinate us.’’ 

U-Boat Wargamers continues on Sky History at 9pm on Tuesday evenings.