RAY FEARON

I now go to my dad's grave to read scripts and learn lines. It's the most peaceful place. I go to see him, and it's fantastic.

Evening dinner dates can cloud your judgment.

When you're playing your part, you don't watch other people - you just play your part.

I like people who enjoy life. I can't stand women who play games. I lose interest very quickly. I prefer up-front honesty.

I got my Equity card and agent before I ever went to drama school.

I'd like to meet someone. I'm not scouring the streets, but I'll keep an eye out.

If I lose touch with that... the reason why I act... then I'll leave it all. I don't do it for fame or money.

I like curvy women. But obviously, a sense of humour is the most important thing. And there's nothing sexier than a girl who is comfortable in her own skin.

A lot of my ex-girlfriends would say I've been a rubbish boyfriend.

I only ever agreed to appear in 'Corrie' for two months, but I ended up staying a lot longer. I really enjoyed it.

In modern life, we hide behind ourselves. In Shakespeare, there's nowhere left to hide. It's life, larger than life, and every actor has to raise their game to get there.

I just want to work on good scripts.

When I discovered drama, I felt a connection.

I'm shy; I work hard.

I loved playing a character that women fancied.

Anything that brings people to see Shakespeare is fine by me. He's the great humanist.

Great actors - it's got nothing to do with colour.

I'm a member of BAFTA, so I vote in all the films that come up for the Academy Awards.

The important thing with memorising a part is not to force it. Sometimes when you're rehearsing, you'll think it's not going in, but it is. On stage, you have to trust that the lines are there, because they are. The real challenge is to relax.

I went to the RSC, and I became a leading actor.

The script looks huge when you first get it, but you just have to go home and drill the lines out. The more you read it, the shorter it gets. I usually read it at least four times.

Isn't it annoying when your face doesn't do what you want it to express?

On your journey, don't forget to smell the flowers. Take time out to notice that you're alive. You can only live in one day.

I can guarantee this to you: every single actor has had a dream of walking on stage on press night and realising that they don't know their lines.

I suppose I've been selfish in the past and put my career first. But priorities change.