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!

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.’

I just want to say thank you to everyone who watched and tuned in and loved my evil gayness.

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

I think because of my background - I went through university and did an academic career and fell into acting - I've never had a game plan for my career because I got into it quite ad hoc.

Because youve done the horrible jobs, it gives you an even grittier determination to succeed.

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