You play Mr Darcy in Lost in Austen, a new ITV1 series; what's the story?

It's a witty drama about a swap between a modern-day woman called Amanda Price and Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. Amanda goes back in time to that period and I'm there as Mr Darcy.

Are you prepared for the sex symbol status?

I haven't really thought of him in those terms.

Hard not to, isn't it?

He is iconic and he has been done on the TV a hundred times, but the literary figure is more intimidating and less sexy. I know people swoon and fall over backwards when they think of Colin Firth getting out of the lake all wet, but I've had to concentrate on none of that getting in the way.

Are you a perennial bachelor, too?

I have had all range of experiences, from heartfelt monogamy to free-ranging interest and some flakiness.

You mean love and flings?

I suppose so.

And now?

I'm somewhere in between the two. I live with my brother but I have every intention of finding the love of my life and making her very happy at some point.

What are your vices?

I have a healthy mix of everything in my life. I believe in moderation, in eating well and exercise, but I also believe in experiencing extremes in behaviour whether they are hedonistic or just physical or mental as this will all contribute to my work somewhere along the line.

What's been the most extreme?

I did Henry V two years ago and I decided to cycle the route that he and his army took through England and across France. It took me over five days on my bike. I was doing the triathlon in the same month, too.

A regular Ironman?

I go through different phases. I've run marathons and completed triathlons but then sometimes I'll concentrate on yoga for six months. At the moment, I've just got back from India and I'm back in the gym.

How often do you work out?

I go every day and do a bit of cardio, but mostly use the weights. I'm just getting myself back to the place where I'm going to be ready to take on my next role.

Bit of a peacock?

When I was at RADA an agent said that a man of my size should always be in shape.

And you took him at his word?

I think actors are more aware of their image, their looks and their body than most people. We also have the time to navel-gaze; it can become a real fascination.

Fairy godmother, please change . . .

Nothing. When I was growing up I was very self-conscious about certain parts of my body because other kids poked fun. But being an actor you learn to make a fool of yourself and be happy with that.

What were they pointing at?

I've just got little bits and pieces that have been handed down by my parents and I probably have at one point been a bit ashamed of.

Green tea or your GP?

I had never credited complementary therapies much value, but then a few years ago I lost my voice in the middle of a show. One of my colleagues recommended an alternative therapist. I thought he was a quack; he gave me a throat massage and some strange concoction his mother made and then did acupuncture on me. Afterwards he told me not to talk all afternoon. It worked.

What happened?

I went to the theatre that night thinking I was going to tell the rest of the company I couldn't do it but the voice came from somewhere. Whether that was psychological or physical I don't know.

Do you believe in God?

I don't have a defined point of entry. I don't pigeonhole myself into one religion. But I'm always trying to unearth understandings to why I'm here. When I was in India I was fascinated hearing about the history of Buddhism and by meeting the Hindu people.

Take yourself a little seriously?

Not really. I think I used to be dead serious and earnest and a real pain in the arse when I was about 21, but I've loosened up quite a lot, otherwise you just get wound up.

Does every actor goes through that?

The stress and strain you go through with different roles, it's a bit like getting married every few months. You go from the sublime to the ridiculous.

How so?

Like now I feel very relaxed, I'm not obsessing about anything.

Elliot Cowan is appearing in Lost in Austen, ITV1, Wednesday September 3, 9pm

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