IN HIS OWN WORDS: Idris Elba

As In The Long Run reaches the final episode (10pm, Sky One), we look at some of the things its star and creator has had to say about his life and career…

On following his father on to the floor of the Ford Dagenham auto plant after leaving school: ‘I was 19, doing the night shift. It’s not for anyone. So it just made me think, “Man, when I get into acting and make it full time, I’m going to work hard, because if I can do this job all night, mundane, boring, repetitive, then I’m going to be able to act.”’ On his parents’ attitude to him pursuing an acting career: ‘I could see they were like, “Actors don’t work much, they don’t get paid… We’ve not raised you to be lazy.” I had to show them I was good at it. But I was strong-headed; if I’m going to do something, I’m doing it and I will face the consequences, whether it gets me a beating or whatever.’

On rumours linking him to the role of James Bond: ‘James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character. If someone said to me, “Do you want to play James Bond?” I’d be like, “Yeah! That’s fascinating to me.” But it’s not something I’ve expressed, like, “Yeah, I wanna be the black James Bond.’” On prioritising family: ‘More than anything, you have to make time to be with your children. It’s something I battle a lot because of my career, because as much as it’s nice to be busy and working, ultimately children don’t raise themselves. You’ve got to be there to help them and guide them through it. That’s one thing I try my very best to do.’