The Actor's Revealing Playlist: Starting with Childhood Loves to Peculiar Aversions

The first track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is walking into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly recite every lyric to
I just discovered that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to blast at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can never bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The track I’d like played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.