I used to go to the gym regularly and swim an awful lot, but that was when I was unemployed and knew leisure intimately.

I had a girlfriend before I ever had a boyfriend, but it was just a phase.

At school I briefly wanted to be a palaeontologist, but I was no good at chemistry and physics.

I love the Shakespeare history plays, I love the struggle for the crown as a plot.

Even when I was a child, I always wanted to be older. I realised just in time that it's a mistake and to enjoy my youth while I had it.

I am a gay man who loves James Bond films and snooker - all kinds of working-class pursuits.

You can always expect tragedy as well as adventure; that's just how it goes.