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I live in Richmond with my wife and three kids — we’ve lived there for about two and a half years and were in the Cotswolds for seven years before that. It’s a big change. Richmond’s not cool but that’s what I like about it. I lived in Ladbroke Grove for years and it’s quicker for me to get to Soho from Richmond than it is from Ladbroke Grove.
Where do you stay in London?
If I need to stay in town and someone else is paying, I’ll go for Claridge’s — I love the food there. It’s so decadent and over the top to have breakfast in bed there and I love it. It’s old school but they’re not stuffy. Plus the staff are pretty sound.
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Where was your first flat in the capital?
I lived in a bedsit about the size of a table on Hackney Road, which had a communal toilet two flights of stairs up. I lived there with five strangers and was meant to be there for a year — I lasted eight months before I moved into an arguably worse place in Shadwell where the landlord held a rusty knife to my neck over a misunderstanding about rent.
I had a landlord who held a rusty knife to my neck over a misunderstanding about rent
What was your first job?
I worked in a pub called Tattersalls Tavern in Knightsbridge, until I found success modelling.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
Activity dates are very revealing, so I think tenpin bowling.
Which shops do you rely on?
Curated Man in Richmond is very small, but has very cool stuff. I used to like going to Dover Street Market but I feel everything is a little out there and too colourful for me now — I’m too much of a dad. I love the big department stores like Selfridges at Christmas, too.
Best meal you’ve had?
We go to the River Café a lot because it’s on the right side of town for us, though we do need to remortgage the house for the meal. Last week we went with Stanley [Tucci] and his wife Fi, who are very good friends of ours. We always let them order because they’re such foodies. That weird cheesy, garlicky pizza thing they bring out is unreal, and I had veal the other night and it was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I’d bring back the old-school Routemaster buses that you could jump on and off. They were my favourite thing about the city when I first moved to London. I can’t handle how slow the traffic is so I walk everywhere now.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
I think Kate Moss needs an honourable mention, as I’m taking over the Diet Coke reign. She’s as iconic as it gets. Or Bill Nighy — I think of Bill when I think of London.
Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
It’s the opposite — I’ve jumped out of two black cabs for them being racist. And weirdly I was with the same friend both times, who I used to live with. I was appalled.
Have you ever had a run-in with a London police officer?
No. I’m always on the right side of the law.
Where do you go to let your hair down?
Back in the day it would have been Fabric. Now I have a hundred kids I don’t let my hair down, ever.
Who do you call when you want to have fun?
Two of my oldest friends — Andrew Murray (not the tennis player) and Mark Jones. We had a night recently where we went to Dukes for a martini — they only allow you to have two because they’re so strong.
What’s your London secret?
Walking over the bridge from Waterloo to Embankment is very special because of the view — the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, it’s magical.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
I’m the new face of Diet Coke, and I’m also doing a series for Netflix called The Undertow, which will come out next year.
What makes London special?
There’s no better place than London for individualism, diversity, uniqueness and self-expression. You can be who you want to be. That’s why I wanted to do the Diet Coke ‘This is my taste’ campaign because that’s what it’s about.
Who is your hero?
My dad was my hero. I lost him a few years ago but my dad was the coolest and smartest person I’ve ever met. [I learnt] to be courteous and nice to people, and treat everyone the same, and just be kind and decent, which I’m trying to pass onto our kids. I think Eric Cantona is probably my sporting hero.
What do you collect?
I used to collect rocks that look like potatoes. I was on a beach filming a movie in Norfolk 18 years ago and I found a rock that looked like a potato. Over the years I’ve found quite a few — Maris Piper size mostly. I have about seven — from a distance you would say, “Oh look at all those potatoes”.
Where would you go for a Diet Coke break?
There’s a little café under the bridge in Richmond called Tide Tables that feels like you’re in Paris. You sit overlooking the river there. Lovely place to sit and have a Diet Coke.
