They pay me to be annoying ...brilliant!

THE dog-loving star of Doc Martin reveals his dream career, why his day job stinks… and the secret of the series’ success:

Not many people know that I bless dogs.

When we shoot Doc Martin, fans bring their dogs up to me and want me to touch and hug them. I say: ‘I like your dog.’ And they say: ‘Thank you.’ It’s almost like a Papal blessing from me.

I was a really annoying child.

I was just a show-off. But now I get paid to be annoying. Brilliant!

Why is Doc Martin so popular?

Well, I guess no children get murdered in it and no Eastern European prostitutes get washed up dead on the beach.

I’m a farmer when I am away from the cameras.

I stink… routinely.

I want to cry at the thought that I turned 56 last year.

But I’m quite robust and because of the farm, I mainly live outdoors. I find horse-riding is good for the lower back and it keeps me mobile.

I’m fascinated by MI5 and would love to work for them.

Anything that involves solving a crime is right up my street.

I have been very happily married for 20 years.

But I learned from my father-in-law, who took every Valentine’s Day off work, that you have to continue to make an effort, so I make a thing of Valentine’s Day every year.

I get told off by my wife and daughter when I say ‘Cool, man!’

I don’t quite know why I say it. Instead of saying ‘OK’ I just go ‘Cool, man!’

What do I most dislike about my appearance?

My entire face.

Martin Clunes presented the Best Arts Project at the National Lottery Awards. To find out more about the project, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.co.uk.