Media Release

Jerome Flynn Becomes New Viva! Patron “Jus’ Like That!”

Proving he has commitment as well as looks, leading British actor Jerome Flynn has become patron of the animal campaigning group Viva!. Jerome joins the other talented and caring Viva! patrons Hayley Mills, Benjamin Zephaniah, and Michael Mansfield QC.

Most recently Jerome appeared as Tommy Cooper in the West End show Jus’ Like That but is probably better known for his macho roles in Soldier Soldier and Badger and being part of the ever-so-slightly-less-macho singing duo Robson and Jerome. However, his romantic melodies give no indication of his long-standing commitment to vegetarianism, love of animals and a deep spirituality. Being raised in the countryside Jerome established a close affinity with nature and living things, a quality far removed from his Soldier Soldier character.

On accepting his role with Viva! Jerome said: “I’m delighted to be part of such a successful and vegetarian organisation as Viva!. The thought of not being a vegetarian is ridiculous, it’s just unthinkable, like going backwards. I won’t eat meat again for the same reason I gave it up in the first place – I don’t want to be a part of all that suffering. I just want it to end and I believe everyone can make a contribution to that, whether they’re famous or not.”

Jerome took part in Viva!’s anti-factory farming video Not In My Name with other famous colleagues such as Paul McCartney, Joanna Lumley and Chrissie Hynde. He received a rapturous reception after he spoke spontaneously to thousands of people in London at Viva!’s first national rally and march to end factory farming last year. “Follow your heart”, he told the crowd. That’s exactly what he has done.

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