The 5-minute Interview: Gary Stretch, Actor

A former middleweight boxer, Gary Stretch, 39, has carved out an acting career starring in acclaimed films such as Shane Meadow's 'Dead Man's Shoes' and Oliver Stone's 'World Trade Center'. His latest film, 'Freebird', is in cinemas

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

On my way to a lunch meeting. I've just done a screen test. But, normally I'd be eating with an incredible-looking woman on Mulholland Drive – on a bad day it would be an average-looking woman.

A phrase I use far too often is...

Bollocks. Americans don't really understand it so I get away with it.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Other people – they get too caught up in their own bullshit.

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

Getting nominated for a British Independent Film Award for Dead Man's Shoes. I'm not really into awards though – how can you compare different performances? But I did go because the film got eight nominations.

A common misperception of me is...

Generally I'm not seen as a soft guy, but I am quite sensitive and people don't realise it.

I am not a politician but...

Thank God. Politics is not my thing. But I am aware of the world around me.

I'm good at...

Very little. I'm good at reading people.

I'm very bad at...

Pretending to be happy when I'm not.

The ideal night out is...

Cooking at home with friends. I'm the best cook in the world.

In moments of weakness I...

Become strong. Anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to be outspoken and remove all doubt.

Toby Green