The 5-minute Interview: Dexter Fletcher, Actor

'I wanted to be a pianist, but I had trouble learning the recorder'

Fletcher, 42, made his big screen debut in 1976 as Baby Face in 'Bugsy Malone' and has since starred in 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'The Bounty'. TV appearances include 'Band of Brothers' and 'Hotel Babylon'. He is narrating the Jonathan Lunn Dance Company's production of 'Reading Room' until 28 June.

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

Talking to my friend in the Tuscan villa they have rented for their wedding. Maybe drinking a glass of rosé.

A phrase I use far too often is...

'Sorry, I don't have any change.' My wife says I'm always moaning about my fat belly. I'm going to the gym at the moment trying to get as fit as possible.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Plastic bags and rubbish.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

I fell in love and got married when I didn't expect it.

I am not a politician, but...

I would get rid of the extended congestion charge zone.

The ideal night out is...

A night at the theatre or opera and dinner at The Wolseley. Then maybe some tango.

I'm good at...

Growing hair, driving my Alfa Romeo and acting, occasionally.

I'm very bad at...

Emptying the dishwasher, putting my shoes away and acting, occasionally.

In moments of weakness I...

Think about smoking a cigar and give in easily.

You know me as an actor but in anotherr life I'd have been...

An astronaut or ... concert pianist, but I can't put in the hours. I had trouble learning the recorder.

The best age to be is...

42. It's a good age because you know enough to know that you don't know everything.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is...

Be the best that you can be.

Michael Cockburn