The 5-minute Interview: Jamie Bell, Actor

'I once ran into Robbie Williams in the bathroom'

Seven years after his Bafta award-winning turn in 'Billy Elliot', Jamie Bell, 21, makes a return to British film with a screen adaptation of Peter Jinks's novel, 'Hallam Foe'. Directed by David Mackenzie, the Scottish thriller is set for release on 31 August

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Probably be talking to somebody else. It seems every time I come back to London, I am always doing these sorts of things. Either that or I'd be catching up with people I don't see very often.

A phrase I use far too often...

"Like."

I wish people would take more notice of...

The fact that we're slowly messing up the world. Everyone is slowly catching on to this one – and I know everyone says this – but we need to make a little more effort with the environment. Everyone says they turn off their lights, but do they really?

The most surprising thing that happened to me...

When I was really young, I ran into Robbie Williams in the bathroom. I was so startled – completely star-struck.

A common misperception of me is...

I think everyone still thinks I'm 13.

I am not a politician but...

I'd try and impeach Bush. I don't know how. I just would.

I'm good at...

Making builders' tea – quite sweet, very milky. I'm also not that bad at guitar, but I'd never say I'm very good. I've been playing for a couple of years. It's all self-taught.

I'm very bad at...

Keeping in contact with people. It's terrible. I get emails saying, "Are you still alive?"

The ideal night out is...

Some kind of really cool film – maybe something by Jacques Tati – then an amazing dinner at a fancy restaurant, with awesome food and wine, followed by reckless and belligerent karaoke, maybe with a few shots of tequila.

In moments of weakness I like to...

Play my guitar or write in my journal. Music is pretty therapeutic.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this...

Eighties music and Ray-Bans. Huey Lewis all the way.

Alice-Azania Jarvis