My mum's parents were from Ireland, my dad's mum was American-Irish.

If you do an American TV series, before the audition you sign away the next five years of your life.

I went to America to get away from constantly being cast in costume dramas, playing posh people.

I look ridiculous in a three-piece suit - I'm too fat.

I'm a rather crude cook.

I've hung out at dozens of playgrounds, bored out of my mind, with not even a look of comfort from disapproving mothers all around me. Either they think I'm a pedophile or a deadbeat dad. That's what I get for being a single dad - suspicious looks at the playground.

I'm only stopped by people in uniform, whether it's customs people, janitors, or the FBI - they all watch The Wire. Sadly, beautiful, glamorous women don't know anything about it.