I found myself at Cambridge, loved my course, and met these amazing people who got me heavily involved. I presumed I would have to go to drama school, but I did a play with my uni friends, who were doing lots of pub theatre in London, and through that met my agent. She said 'Don't go to drama school. I'll get you a job' and two weeks later she did.

I can't tell you the excitement to be in a new TV series or a play you've got to read for. That's the best.

Yes, I go a little bit crazy when I'm not working, which is an issue for me. My background is you go to work; that's what you do.

I was always about working. I like working. I don't like being unemployed. I love acting.

My whole family were from the East End, but they moved away when I was a child. They still cannot get their heads around the fact that I ran back to London as soon as I could, when I was 21.

Filming in London is brilliant.

In this industry, people like to look at different faces on their screens - even I do.

Two of my dramas, 'Unforgotten' and 'River,' were airing at the same time, and Dad had read about my 'success' in a newspaper - he thought it was brilliant. I was thinking, 'Does this mean I'm going to be put in a box for a bit now?'

'Unforgotten' was a bit of a no-brainer. I'm a big fan of crime dramas, but often the 'investigation' part goes much too smoothly - and you don't get that with this.

If you could make telly as good as radio, it would be amazing - audio can do things so easily that television can't.

I've only ever been on a long-runner with 'Spooks.'

Cornwall is my favourite place - I wish I could earn a living there.

It's totally different playing a lawyer and a detective.

Most people feel like they're out of step, so just have the conviction to go your own way.

I took a long time after 'Curious' to find something I really wanted to do.

I want to watch telly that reflects the world I see.

I am a simple person, I try to do my best on the pitch and do nothing wrong both on and off the pitch.

I am shy, quiet and like spending time with my family.

I did very little at Real Madrid. I would have liked to do much more but I didn't get the chance.

Shanghai is Asia's New York.

I was sixteen when I converted to Islam. Beyond the fraternal aspect, my conversion did not change my life. I was already living by the same principles - being righteous, having values.

I had great moments in my life and I'm happy with what I achieved.

It is foolish to hold against me remarks that I never made.

As a player you just concentrate on your game.

I love all the clubs I play for.

I have been obsessed with the local cultures during my previous trips to the likes of Korea Republic, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Hong Kong and Macau.

I think Martin Keown was the toughest. I liked playing against him in training because I knew it was just like a game situation.

Some players have to change their game in their careers. I did, and I like it.

I was very young when I was with Real Madrid and in some ways 'appreciated it and in others I didn't.

I missed out on the World Cup twice and it did not kill me.

I have never had a problem with the Jewish community, and besides why would I have?

If one day I have to go to war, straight away right next to me, on the front line, I would put Patrice Evra. And there aren't many that I would put there.

When I was playing for Chelsea and Arsenal, we had a young team but also experienced players. You still have space for the youngsters to play, they just have to be strong mentally to compete every week.

I don't care about wages or fees, I just want to improve my football, which is a side to me that the fans aren't aware of.

I have no record of racism or antisemitism, there is no evidence to support it, not even a shred of evidence.

I have been impressed by Carlo Ancelotti, Kevin Keegan, Arsene Wenger, Guus Hiddink, Christoph Daum and Sam Allardyce.

When I reflect on my career I have no regrets.

I'd like to finish my career in Turin.

In football there are lots of origins, cultures, religions and no one feels left out. We all play together and we are all friends. Supporters see that and feel part of the same family, especially in England where you feel very welcome.

I've always had fond feelings about Asia.

We need to show character whenever we concede a goal and try to make a comeback.

It doesn't matter I have not always been at the biggest clubs.

When I left Arsenal I never said I didn't like England. I was very young and my problems were all in my head.

I was very young in the past at Arsenal, at Real Madrid as well.

I used to fast during Ramadan because I admired the people fasting around me. What made me convert was that I had that certainty that Islam was for me. I felt this relationship with God, and that enlightened my life. I had that conviction in my heart that that was my religion.

My time at City and at Bolton was wonderful. I met a lot of good people at both clubs.

At some point we must stop being paranoid and believing that we are all at war.

Why didn't I stay at Liverpool after having achieved what I wanted to do: to play, score, and of course to relaunch my career? I cannot answer that. It is better to put the question to Gerard Houllier because I really wanted to stay.

Honestly, when someone speaks to me about Juventus I try to change the subject immediately. I'm ashamed of the transfer!

I helped Real win their eighth Champions League title. I'm proud of that.