I used to go into bars on my days off, and I decided that wasn't too good for me.

My acting career began when I walked into a drama school class run by Anna Scher in Islington. Anna discovered a lot of people: Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke, Gary and Martin Kemp, and Dexter Fletcher were among my contemporaries.

I get on with actors, and when I'm doing a theatre show, it's great being with them all the time. But we're all alike, and it's much nicer being with people who are different.

I had a weimaraner for 11 years called China, and he was a great dog, a bit mad. They're massive, weimaraners; they've got big floppy ears. They look like a pointer, but they're liver-coloured.

I think that's what keeps you grounded - having your own life that's not directed by your job.

When I was a kid doing television, they'd stick a leather jacket on me, and I would be the thug.

It's great to do small plays in the theatre and then go off with Blur and play in front of thousands of people.