When I told my parents I wanted to be an actor, it was like saying I wanted to be an astronaut. Not because it was highfalutin' in any way - just because they didn't know anybody in that field. They were anxious of a profession they knew nothing about.
I'm the youngest of four kids. There's something in me that will always be the youngest child, will always look up to people when they don't necessarily need it.
I'd really like to get on a Greyhound bus and go backpacking across America.
My house is very clean apart from a very small part of it that looks as if we've been burgled, which is my office.
The great thing about being an actor is things happen to you very quickly. I like to put myself in the way of surprise.
We have one life and we should cherish it and make it the best we can.
It's always good to find out what you don't want to do.
I couldn't think of anything worse than going to a fancy dress party. So, if somebody invited me to one, I'd go as the Invisible Man and not turn up.
I owe my mum a sense of family. She has kept our family together. I have two brothers and a sister, and they all live a stone's throw away from each other in Liverpool.
I love getting stuff, and if I give a present to someone and don't get one back, you can bet your life they won't be getting one next year.
I always have to go out to work even if it's just a desk somewhere or an office or the British Library.
I like to act because I can forget about everything else.
When I discovered acting, I decided that's what I wanted to do above everything else. It was the first time I was passionate about anything.
I always try to put myself in the way of surprise as much as possible. My ambition is to keep challenging myself. I like that journey of discovery.
It takes a long time to drag myself out of bed, and at night I'm buzzing. As a young man it was helpful, but now I'd like to be tired when I go to bed and alive in the morning.
I'm no good at down-time. I panic slightly and then plan a project or set up a meeting about starting a project.
My son got me into 'The Mighty Boosh.' I just love that surrealist humour.
Liverpool will always be my home.
As a director, your work is finished only when it's on the screen. But I will always be an actor who occasionally directs. And no, I have no interest in directing myself. I wouldn't be able to concentrate on both jobs at once.
All actors think every job will be their last.
