I always saw Michael Gambon wearing madly psychedelic socks, and I always thought that's it is one of the few areas where men can really express colour and have a bit of a dandyish quality to their outfit.

I don't really care about how I look.

My idea of relaxation is not lying down by a beach. I have to move around, do stuff. Though I'm a massive quiz show person.

I have described myself as being 'gently eccentric.'

I don't know where my romanticism comes from. My mom and dad would read to me a lot. 'Treasure Island,' 'Robinson Crusoe,' tales of chivalry and knights, things like that. Those are the stories I loved growing up.

I'm 5-foot-5, and I'll wear a big parka and put the hood up, and nobody gives me a second glance.

I had to smile when stories emerged questioning whether I was gay. Obviously I knew I wasn't but people were curiously desperate to suggest I was ... when you know a gay guy has a crush on you, it's the most flattering thing.