Bertie Carvel: ‘I have hang-ups left over from childhood about my body’

Born in London, Bertie Carvel, 44, trained at Rada and went on to receive an Olivier in 2012 for the role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical. In 2017 he was cast as Rupert Murdoch in Ink, which won him Olivier and Tony awards. His television work includes Doctor Foster, The Crown and Baghdad Central. Next month he stars in Dalgliesh, a Channel 5 series based on the novels by PD James. He is married to the actor Sally Scott; they have a son and live in London.

What is your greatest fear?
I don’t have any big fears, I live with a thousand little ones – a constant hum of anxiety.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I wish I could be more easy-going.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
On my first day at senior school, I had forgotten my swimming trunks, so the PE teacher made me put on a pair of boxers that had been left floating in the pool. They were soaking wet, far too big and had a hole in, so I couldn’t have felt more exposed.

Describe yourself in three words
Trying my best.

What would your superpower be?
X-ray vision.

What makes you unhappy?
Things left unsaid. I can’t bear going to bed on a quarrel.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I have hang-ups left over from childhood about my body. My wife sometimes reminds me that, instead of saying, “I want to be thin”, I could say, “I want to be happy”, which is profoundly good advice.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Leaving my toenail clippings lying around at home – in neat little piles.

What scares you about getting older?
It can feel like the possibilities are narrowing exponentially. But I don’t think that’s necessarily true.

Who is your celebrity crush?
The late director Roger Michell was my absolute hero. It’s devastating that he is gone.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Luke Skywalker, for a time. After that, I mainly wanted to have a girlfriend one day.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
Frankly, I think the things you tell yourself are the worst.

Would you choose fame or anonymity?
I should choose anonymity without a second thought, but I’m not sure that would be entirely honest.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Watching myself on screen. It still gives me a real kick to be on the telly.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My son.

What does love feel like?
A continuous in-breath.

What was the best kiss of your life?
No 147.

How often do you have sex?
More than when I was at school.

What is the closest you’ve come to death?
I held my mother’s hand as she passed away.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I’m still working on it.

What keeps you awake at night?
Things I said in interviews.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Be excellent to each other.

Tell us a joke
Q Why do elephants drink?
A To forget.