Call the Midwife star Cliff Parisi has opened up about about his stint in prison. 

The actor, who is beloved by fans of the hit show for his role of Fred Buckle, was jailed at the age of 19 for a bank robbery.

In a new interview, the 64-year-old performer reflected on the period of his life which was marked by his time behind bars.

Speaking to Saga Magazine, Cliff revealed that he grew up in a ‘fairly rough’ area and that he was unable to read or write after he left school.

When asked about his biggest regret in life, the actor revealed: ‘Trying my luck as a rubbish bank robber and ending up in prison aged 19.

‘Where I grew up was fairly rough. I left school at 14 unable to read or write and if you didn’t have any prospects, which I didn’t, you could easily get in trouble. And I did.’

Call the Midwife star Cliff Parisi has opened up about about his prison stint in a new interview with Saga Magazine, reflecting on being jailed at the age of 19 for a bank robbery 

The actor is beloved by fans of the hit show for his role of Fred Buckle (pictured on Call the Midwife) but revealed his life got off to a tough start 

Cliff continued: ‘When the robbery went wrong, I escaped from the bank on a bus. I got away with it for a year.

‘Finally, one of the other guys got arrested and the next thing I knew, the police were knocking on the front door.’

He added: ‘I was just about to go on stage for a big production of South Pacific, but got carted off to Brixton Prison.

‘I got bail and was able to do the show before I was sentenced.’

During his 18-month sentence, Cliff admitted that he used the time to try and improve his reading skills in prison.

After his release he also changed his surname from Manley to Parisi to make a fresh start.

Cliff previously shed light on the criminal incident before entering the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2019.

He told the Sunday Mirror: ‘This has hung over me like a black cloud. It was a massive mistake that I made and I deeply regret it.

Cliff has now found success as an actor, and rose to prominence in the 2000s playing Minty Peterson in EastEnders

‘I am relieved that it is now out and I hope that people will find it in their hearts to forgive me.

‘No one regrets it more than I do. I also hope it inspires young men in jail not to give up hope. 

‘It is possible to get your life back on track again.’

A source who knew Cliff during his prison days also told the publication that he wouldn’t have considered acting if it wasn’t for the prison programme, which saw him perform with young people in the community.

Cliff had a difficult childhood after he was put into care when his family were kicked out of their home in London’s East End, when their landlady created a scheme to ‘buy’ cliff and his sister, who was one at the time.

When his mum Irene and dad George refused, the family ended up sleeping in Victoria Park in Hackney.

Social services stepped in and put Cliff and his sister in care, but they were eventually returned to their parents.

But since then Cliff has launched a successful acting career, and alongside his jungle stint – which saw him be the third star to be voted out – he has played handyman Fred Buckle on Call The Midwife since 2012.

He is also married to BBC production assistant Tara Wyer and together they have a son. Cliff also has three grown-up children from previous relationships.

Cliff is married to BBC production Tara Wyer and they share a son. He also has three grown up children from previous relationships