London is the greatest city in the world. I was bought up in Surrey and bullied as a kid and coming to the city was the best thing I've done. People should stop slagging our capital off, especially those who live here. They might want to slate the place, but in every survey it's always up there with the best cities. It's a leader in fashion, has great food and amazing nightlife. If you go to Soho there's always something going on even at four in the morning and there is still a good buzz around. I love driving along the Embankment in the early hours of the morning seeing all the illuminated bridges and St Paul's Cathedral - it's really eerie and quiet at night and it's the daddy of all buildings.

I only wish they hadn't built the wheel - it's spoilt the skyline - or introduced the congestion charge. I got caught out once and because I was in the middle of moving by the time I received the charge, I found I owed £340. That was an expensive drive through!

A lot of London is quite understated. My favourite thing about the place is the old-style 18th- and 19th-century theatres, which are excellent for actors. I'm touring at the moment with Kiss Me Kate but when I'm at home in Chiswick I like to get out to the theatre. The best is the Adelphi along the Strand: it has great dressing rooms and a real old theatre buzz.
Interview by Gavan Naden