At the age of 11 I was about 6 ft. tall and my voice had completely broken. That caused problems. I was this gangly, spotty, very unattractive kid. I wasn't cool and I wasn't a nerd. I didn't even want to fit in with anyone.

I would like to do something modern and possibly funny.

The female attention I have to struggle hardest with is from my two-year-old daughter.

What was interesting was talking to older gay men about what it was like being gay in the Eighties.

I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man Booker if it weren't for 'Downton.'

"I've never see you do something like this before and I'd love to see you try." For a young actor, that's about the most exciting thing that anyone can say to you.

I don't see money or a particular status as an actor as a goal, but I want to do the best work I can in as interesting a range of roles as I can.