I've had to learn when not to tweet. Like, you learn how to keep your mouth shut? Learn to keep your tweet shut.

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

I always wanted to be an actor.

"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 was never very happy at school.

Coming back to theatre is something I'm keen to do for the rest of my life. It recharges my batteries, so to speak.

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