The 5-Minute Interview: Vincent Regan, Actor

Vincent Regan, 41, stars in '300', a film adaptation of a graphic novel by Frank Miller. It has broken box office records in the US and is released in the UK today

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

In a furniture and antique shop with my wife, holding my baby girl, Esme. We're moving into a new house at the end of the month and we're looking for furniture. Esme's opinion is being taken into consideration - when she points with both hands that means, "buy it!"

A phrase I use far too often is...

"Do you know what I mean?" And "I understand you". It's as if the other person is talking another language. Of course they know what I mean - of course I understand them!

I wish people would take more notice of...

The fact that for most people most of the time life is worthwhile... but we too often focus on what's bad.

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

The miracle of having a child. You spend nine months preparing yourself for your wife having a baby. But when you're confronted by a mewling purple thing - it's just amazing.

A common misperception of me is...

That I'm a tough guy. I'm not - I'm really a complete softie.

I am not a politician but...

I wouldn't allow Trident replacement to go ahead.

I'm good at...

Changing nappies. And I'm getting better at exercise since I gave up smoking four years ago.

I'm very bad at...

Paperwork, and sitting down to do serious writing. I procrastinate.

The ideal night out is...

A movie and then a curry with friends.

In moments of weakness I...

Blame someone else.

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

A writer. Or a farmer. Or maybe a scaffolder! My family were all in the building trade, so I probably would have ended up doing something like that.

The best age to be is...

41. When I turn 42 then 42 will be the best age.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Carpe diem [seize the day].

Emily Koch