FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ME...

1 One of the saddest days in my life was the day when I was told I’d never be a professional football player. It was the day of my history GCSEs and I cried, but my Dad helped me through it. He said, ‘Son, it’s not the disappointments in life, it’s how you get over them.’

2 I owe a great debt to my drama teacher Mr Hardingham. He was a wonderful teacher who supported me and led me to the career I have now. I think I’m happier as an actor than I would have been as a footballer because I can drink more beer!

3 I’m so clumsy it’s beyond a joke – I break everything! When I was a boy my best friend’s mum would only give me a plastic glass to drink from because I kept breaking them.

4 The weirdest time of my life was when I signed on for Doctor Who. The Doctor is so ingrained in the cultural fabric of Britain that when it was announced everyone reacted! I’d go to a shop or my cousin’s wedding and it would be, ‘Ah! You’re the Doctor Who guy!’ It was wonderful – but strange.

5 I think that if you’re a bit famous you still have to commit to normal life or your life becomes about getting in and out of cars and having people open doors for you and that’s not what I want. So I still use the Tube and go to my local pub – probably a bit too much on that last one!