I didn't even watch the soaps when I was in them because it's like a coal miner coming home and staring at the coal scuttle - I was never a great lover of watching myself act.

There is no such thing as the worst gang because they're all pretty bad. It is very difficult to classify them in terms of who is worse than the other because they all have pretty bad things associated with them.

A day in Afghanistan is like a week at home.

If I have a weakness, it's for timepieces - if I see one I like and can afford it, I'll buy it.

I have seen incredible bravery from very young guys, the young generation that people write off.

I really enjoy travelling around the world. I get to meet some extraordinary people.

What's always got me is the fact that when people talked on the telly about Iraq, before Afghanistan kicked off, you'd get only these public-school-type army officers talking about what was going on out there. I kept thinking, 'Why don't we get the true voice of the squaddie? Why don't we hear from the lads on the battlefield?'