The Vera star on a declaration of love and the star who left him speechless
Actor Kenny Doughty on loving life and living for the moment
Guilty pleasure? Gogglebox. I used to be judgmental about it, but now I’m addicted.
Where is home? A two-bed flat with my wife [actress Caroline Carver] overlooking Alexandra Palace in North London.
Career plan B? I’ve got a black belt in karate so I might be able to make a living from martial arts.
Who would play you in a movie of your life? Gary Oldman – although the actor who knows me best is Brenda Blethyn. We spent three series of Vera together.
Biggest bugbear? Rudeness.
As a child you wanted to be… An RAF pilot after watching Top Gun.
Secret to a happy relationship? Laughter, definitely.
Your best quality? I’m good at listening and observing.
And your worst? Being impatient and interrupting.
Most romantic thing you’ve ever done? Driving from Yorkshire to London to tell Caroline that I loved her. We had been together as friends and I needed to let her know face-to-face how I felt before I went to Rome for five months on a job.
Last meal on earth? A Tom & Jerez cocktail at a Hawksmoor restaurant, one of its rare fillet steaks, triple-cooked chips, a side of greens, sticky toffee pudding and endless champagne.
Dream dinner-party guests? My great grandad, Sydney Walker, who won a Distinguished Conduct Medal in the First World War; my great-great grandad, Frank Walker, who was a cup-winning rugby player, and the film director Ken Loach, if only to talk about Kes.
Advice to teenage self? Don’t worry about the future, just enjoy now.
Cat or dog? Although I don’t have any pets, I love dogs and I’m a ‘godparent’ to many of them.
What do you see when you look in the mirror? The smears that need to be cleaned.
Starstruck moment? Being on the set of Elizabeth with Eric Cantona, who had just retired from football. I’m a big Manchester United fan and I was too terrified to speak to him.
Big break? Getting into drama school changed everything.
Career highlight? Working with the director Daniel Evans and writer Simon Beaufoy on the stage play of The Full Monty.
Favourite tipple? A glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne.
Hangover cure? Coconut water and a bacon butty – a weird combination, but it works.
What did you have for breakfast today? A flat white coffee and porridge with blueberries.
Top of your bucket list? To go to Iceland to see the northern lights.
Secret skill? I can pose motionless as a mannequin for ages, almost in a zen-like state.
One thing that would make your life better? Finding my glasses in the morning in under 20 minutes.
Philosophy? Live for the moment.
Last film that made you cry? Manchester by the Sea, which was heartbreaking.
First record you bought? ‘Tainted Love’ by Soft Cell.
Most extravagant purchase? I splashed out on a BMW 6 Series car last year.
Biggest regret? Missing being best man at my oldest friend’s wedding in 2003 because I was filming in Australia.
Biggest fear? Not enjoying life.
Celebrity crush? Michelle Obama.
Happiness is… Waking up and feeling excited about the day ahead.
Kenny is starring in the new series Love, Lies and Records on BBC One, Thursdays at 9pm