I'm a working class lad.

I’m quite flirtatious with anyone. Some people, because I’m playing a gay character, get quite nervous. And I have to reassure them. I’m like, ‘I’m not gay. I’m not coming on to you. Yet.’

And there are lots of moments when I think, ‘What am I doing as an actor? I can’t act!’

I'm proud of the fact that Downton Abbey was born in a recession, at a time when ITV had dropped a lot of drama programmes. And I know that because I was out of work at the time!

Sometimes people can be guilty of not working at relationships and if it's not working, oof, that's it.

My mom and dad put my brother and sister through university and they were very keen for us to have an academic background just to give us a chance.

It's not just modern-day society that is liberal.