You play the king in the ITV1 soap opera The Palace. Did all that power go to your head?

Not as far as I know, but it was pretty strange and not entirely unpleasant having everything done for you. When you’re king, you hardly even carry your own glass.

The film Hellboy (2004) made you hot stuff in Hollywood. How does all that fame and adoration feel?

What fame and adoration? Ha-ha. There is a little more interest in me now, which is great, but no one should ever take life too seriously. I just enjoy what I do.

Are the girls still swooning?

No idea what you’re talking about! It’s all a myth about films and female attention; I’m never mobbed by female fans. Mind you, I’ve just been filming 24/7 in Lithuania, so not much opportunity for attracting the hordes.

Perennial bachelor or serial monogamist?

I’m probably a relationship guy. I wish I was a rogue, but I’m not very good at all that Casanova stuff.

Pretty grounded then?

Yes, I’d say I am. My mum keeps me on the straight and narrow. Mums are good at that.

Bit of a mummy’s boy?

No, I’m not, I’m the black sheep of the family. I go off and do strange things and act in strange places. My parents didn’t see that coming; I suppose they thought I’d do something more normal with my life, but, thankfully, they’re very supportive.

You moved from Staffordshire to London seven years ago. Urban animal or country boy?

Country boy. I grew up on a farm in the Midlands. I was always outside. I had my best ideas up trees. I love open wilderness and fresh air. Scotland’s the last place where you can’t hear a car, so I love it. I recommend the sleeper train to Fort William to anyone; it’s very romantic.

Ever had an accident on set?

I’m very accident-prone; I’ve had 200 stitches. I’ve been through windows, a car crash, and been attacked by a lion in Zimbabwe. I’ve been in hospital a lot. While doing King John at the Royal Shakespeare in Newcastle I got cut in the mouth by a sword and had to be rushed to hospital in full costume.

Any vices?

I’m not drinking alcohol at the moment because I have postfilming flu, but I do drink, probably a little more than the average.

Are you a groomer?

I do moisturise. I’m happy to say that. I’m comfortable with admitting it.

Favourite product?

No idea. I just buy a good moisturiser.

Gym or party-goer?

I don’t go to the gym, but I played a convict in a recent film about Guantanamo Bay and had to lose weight. I had a personal trainer. It was my first experience of the gym and I lost a lot of weight very quickly. I prefer to run outside or swim, though.

How much weight did you shed?

Two stone in two months. I didn’t eat anything. It was so stupid, it really mucked up my body.

Have you managed to put it back on?

Yes. It got absolutely crazy though, I was 9½st. Now I’m up to 11st.

Does all the travelling catch up with you?

I get sick of living out of a suitcase. But I enjoy the work, so I can’t complain.

Calorie-counter or cheeseburger chomper?

I have never, ever, counted calories. But then, I’m lucky. I can eat and eat. I have a very fast metabolism.

Is it cake and McDonald’s all day?

No, I’m not a junk food fan at all. Coming from a farming background, having been to an abattoir, if people had actually seen that, they’d never eat fast food again.

Do you cook?

I’m learning. I make a wicked prawn risotto.

How do you stay healthy in flu season?

I always slip a tube of Berocca in my luggage. It’s a fizzy multivitamin tablet with minerals.

Use any alternative therapies?

I believe in the power of self-healing: positive thinking and listening to the body. I’m quite big on ashtanga yoga in the mornings. It wakes me up, warms me up, gets the brain flowing, yet calms me, too.

Ever smoked marijuana?

Yes. It made me feel quite ill. I won’t be doing it again.

Would you ever consider plastic surgery?

Never. I think to change the progression of nature, you're just kidding yourself. Go with it, always go with it. You can’t fight gravity.

The Palace, ITV1, Mondays, 9pm

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