Be a good-looking corpse. Leave a good-looking tattoo.

I can pretty much live without fast food. I haven't eaten McDonald's in so long, but it's okay.

I don't come from a famous family and don't have this detachment from everyday people and everyday life. I'm just doing my job and the attention that comes with it is part of the territory.

I can't stand watching myself on TV.

You have to do things that excite you you have to have a passion for your work. Otherwise you're just a face on the screen.

I grew up in a middle class English family just outside London. I wasn't surrounded by that speedy city lifestyle, it was a little mellower.

It's very difficult to juggle two careers, unless you're going to have someone put it all together for you. Because you're on TV, somebody just gives you a record deal - that's not how I'd want to get it, because it's just not real.

When I need to think of, like, a peaceful scene or something, I think of my back garden in summertime. And whenever I hear the lawnmower next door, I always think it's really peaceful.

I think gardens are fantastic, and I'd love to draw and design and stuff like that. I love just planting flowers during the summer. There's something very humble about it, and natural and beautiful.

I grew up with it. As a young actor, I was always aware of the brilliant work of Shakespeare. We studied Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth in school. As a young actor, you're always mystified and intrigued by such brilliant work. To actually have the chance to be involved in this production was a wonderful thing for me.

'Villain' is such a harsh word.

I'm a big fan of London in the summertime. English people are dependent on weather to change our attitudes, and, provided it's a decent summer, everyone's spirits are uplifted and the whole place is in bloom. It's a magical transformation. London in the summer, going to see bands play outside, watching football.

I was just doing bits and pieces of acting in the UK. I'd been in the film Breaking and Entering - Anthony Minghella gave me my start and I miss him dearly. Then I made the trip out to LA, during one of their pilot seasons, which was when they were developing Gossip Girl, and I auditioned, and things came together.

I don't think musicals are my thing. I'm not a big fan. Definitely have to get on the stage and do something like a straight play.

I'm all for being in love and whenever I like someone, I end up pretty much completely smitten.

I'm a rock 'n' roll guy, really. I'm a big fan of Elvis. I got Heartbreak Hotel tattooed on my chest.

To be respected as an actor it doesn't help to be seen out in the clubs.