The actor on Michael Caine, sharp suits, the Specials and sex

Born in Hampshire, Martin Freeman, 47, played Tim in The Office. He went on to appear in The Hobbit trilogy and Black Panther. Since 2010, he has played Dr Watson in Sherlock. As part of the Pinter at the Pinter season, he stars in A Slight Ache and The Dumb Waiter from 31 January to 23 February. He lives in London and has two children with his former partner, the actor Amanda Abbington.

When were you happiest?

When I am in Italy with the family, not thinking about work.

What is your greatest fear?

Going mad.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?

It’s hard to beat David Attenborough. Everything he does is quality. I like people who make me proud to be British.

Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?

I love clothes and accoutrements, so it would be either a suit or a watch. I love Mark Powell in Soho, and Paul Smith.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

I met Michael Caine recently – he was one of the reasons I became an actor. I had to rev myself up. I stuck my hand out and said, “Hi, I’m Michael.” And he said, “No, I’m Michael, you’re Martin.”

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be a footballer and then a squash player – I was in with a chance because I was very good. But I fell out of love with that by 14 or 15 and joined a youth theatre.

What makes you unhappy?

My brain.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Hopefully me, because I’d like the work.

What is your most treasured possession?

My records, especially the first Specials album, because I’ve had that since I was nine.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?

“I don’t love you.”

What is your most unappealing habit?

Biting my nails.

What is your favourite smell?

A nice leek, potato and cheese pie just out of the oven – I don’t eat meat.

Which book changed your life?

Animal Farm. I was 11 and it was the best book that I had read. It shaped a lot of my future world view.

What is the worst job you’ve done?

The Wimpy in Kingston when I was 16. I’d recently become vegetarian, and there weren’t many veggie burgers in 1988.

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To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?

I say it a lot to my kids when I’ve lost my temper, and I’ll save up a big one for when they are 18.

What do you owe your parents?

Public-spiritedness and a bit of artistic flair – my dad went to art college and my mum harboured a desire to be an actor, so she was delighted when I wanted to go to drama school.

What does love feel like?

Safety.

How often do you have sex?

I would say pretty often – it’s quite an important part of life.

What keeps you awake at night?

Thinking about all the worst possible things: losing people, dying, how am I going to die? All that sort of stuff. I stay awake thinking about furniture and shoes as well. It’s not all death.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

A really careful lobotomy, to switch off bits of my brain.

What has been your biggest disappointment?

“I don’t love you.”

How do you relax?

Having a bath with a cup of tea and Question Time on.