If I have a problem, stuff's going through my head, I feel like using, I usually go and talk to my dad... I decided to get sober a lot younger than he did. He first tried to get sober when he was like 32, I believe.

And then before going back for my sophomore year, I decided to change my major to arts and sciences, and my dad cut a deal with me: He said if I'd quit school he'd pay my rent for the next three years, as if I were in school.

I was born and brought up in Liverpool with my clever little sister Jemma, who is 14 and wants to be a vet. My mum Jane is an administrator and my dad Peter is a taxi driver.

Dad worked in a warehouse when I was little and I didn't see him for three years as he was doing all the overtime God gave him to buy me new ballet shoes, or a new tutu.

People say I'm not good at writing about men. My dad left when I was 16. Give me a break. I'm doing the best I can.

My dad loved black singers. So listening to New Orleans music, eventually I wanted to play an instrument.

Dad was a very gentle, sweet man.

I had to learn how to chop wood actually - I don't think my dad would have let me go chop wood in the backyard growing up.

It is because my dad died suddenly that I became an actor. I thought, I'm going to make money doing this thing I enjoy.

Growing up, I saw my dad do charity work for children with health issues. That had a profound effect on me.