Victor Espadinha, 87, explains TV absence and criticises Portuguese channels

Portuguese actor Victor Espadinha, 87, posted a lengthy message on Facebook to answer fans’ questions about his long absence from television and social media. He thanked supporters, said he is in good health, feels “as if he were 50”, and announced that he will soon marry his partner of more than 40 years, Maria de Lurdes Marques.

In the same statement he criticised the state of Portuguese fiction, claiming most actors “play themselves”, that audiences now prefer Netflix, and that the national broadcasters are “decades behind” their European counterparts. He singled out TVI, SIC and RTP, saying he will only return to TV on “very well‑paid” terms and refusing to work for the “Big Brother” style programming. Espadinha also quoted Alan Bates and Bertrand Russell, and declared he is “fed up” with the current situation in Portugal.