The 5-minute Interview: Kevin Whately, Actor

'People think I'm thick because of the parts I play'

(ITV/Rex Features)

Kevin Whately, 57, was an original cast member of both 'Peak Practice' and 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'. He is currently starring in the ITV drama 'Lewis', the second series of which is available now on DVD.

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

I'd almost certainly be at home, yomping through the woods with an old terrier.

A phrase I use far too often ...

Something along the lines of "Donkeys ago ...". I'm not particularly fond of the past but I do ramble on about it quite a bit.

I wish people would take more notice of ...

I walk in the woods regularly and I see a lot of rubbish chucked around - particularly fag packs and drinks cans. People just chuck them. I wish people would take more care of the countryside.

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

Being on television. It wasn't something I expected or even worked towards. I wanted to be a stage actor but I got stuck on television. It took a couple of years to get used to.

A common misperception of me is ...

People think I'm thick because of the characters I play. I think I'm brighter than the characters. Well, I hope I am.

I am not a politician but ...

I'm fascinated by politicians, because I suspect the huge majority of them go into it full of ideas and for the best possible reasons but end up being hijacked. The older they get, the more pragmatic they get.

I'm good at ...

Taking care of my grand daughter. I was surprised just how quickly the whole child care thing came back to me.

Tim McAtackney