Everywhere I go, I am The Doctor, and everyone smiles at me - they are pleased to see Doctor Who, who's far more exciting than I am.

Even though I am a lifelong 'Doctor Who' fan, I've not played him since I was nine. I downloaded old scripts and practised those in front of the mirror.

Everyone wants me to be perfect, but I am so far from perfect!

I was fortunate enough to have an upbringing that made me more accepting of who I am.

I don't want to find myself at the age of 60 waiting by the telephone for someone else to decide if I am capable of being in what might be a crummy TV production.

I know who I am. When I look in the mirror, I see me.