United Kingdom, Aug. 1 -- Brian Cox's "tough" childhood was a "was a learning experience".

The Succession star, 79, grew up in Dundee, Scotland as the youngest of five children, but his early years were blighted by tragedy as his father died when Brian was just eight years old and his mother suffered a number of mental health issues, but the screen star is adamant the dark times helped shape him as a person.

He told the BBC: "People forget their roots. Your roots are so important to you, and that's why I prize my upbringing in Dundee ...

"No, it wasn't [terrible] - it was a learning experience. Yeah, it was tough. It was as tough as hell.

"You know, when your dad's dead when you're eight, and then you've got a mum who goes through a s...