'THE SERENITY is still great'

HIS MILESTONE BIRTHDAY TOOK THE ACTOR BY SURPRISE

- Jenny Brown

Much-loved actor Michael Caton admits being around to celebrate his 80th birthday “was never part of my master plan”.

“It kind of snuck up on me when I wasn’t looking!” the larrikin star tells New Idea cheerfully.

Indeed, if someone had prophesied to Michael he’d live this long – and have the career he’s had – he wouldn’t have believed them. To quote his most well-known character, The Castle’s Darryl Kerrigan, he’d say “tell him he’s dreaming!”

Yet there Michael was at Sydney’s exclusive Bondi Icebergs Club, marking his July 21 milestone with family and friends like a man half his age.

As his “great mate” and Packed to the Rafters co-star Rebecca Gibney puts it, “Michael is an Australian legend, known in the industry for working hard and playing hard!”

Flashing a grin towards his wife of 21 years, Helen, and with a twinkle in his eye, Michael jokes, “I’m hoping I might mature at some stage.”

“I have sort of got more sensible,” he continues. “Now I know better than to believe every word I’m told. I’ve learnt the hard way.”