If I wasn't an actor, I'd be a moody folk singer, sitting on stools and being very depressing.

I didn't know any actors growing up. My dad was a builder, and we didn't know any arty types.

I'm just a very primitive, infantile folk singer.

My upbringing is so fundamentally different to my parents'. It must be strange to look at your child who not only speaks with a different accent but has a totally different view of the world.

Dad was a strict disciplinarian and would give us a wallop with a wooden spoon if we were out of order. But we really respected him - he didn't try to be our best friend.

I had an inspirational teacher at my junior school: Peter Nixon. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and slightly scary - a good combination for a teacher.