I dwell in Richmond with my spouse and three youngsters — we’ve lived there for about two and a half years and have been within the Cotswolds for seven years earlier than that. It’s a giant change. Richmond’s not cool however that’s what I like about it. I lived in Ladbroke Grove for years and it’s faster for me to get to Soho from Richmond than it’s from Ladbroke Grove.
The place do you keep in London?
If I want to remain on the town and another person is paying, I’ll go for Claridge’s — I really like the meals there. It’s so decadent and excessive to have breakfast in mattress there and I adore it. It’s old fashioned however they’re not stuffy. Plus the employees are fairly sound.
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The breakfast at Claridge’s
Claridge’s/Maybourne Group
The place was your first flat within the capital?
I lived in a bedsit in regards to the dimension of a desk on Hackney Street, which had a communal bathroom two flights of stairs up. I lived there with 5 strangers and was meant to be there for a yr — I lasted eight months earlier than I moved into an arguably worse place in Shadwell the place the owner held a rusty knife to my neck over a misunderstanding about hire.
I had a landlord who held a rusty knife to my neck over a misunderstanding about hire
I labored in a pub referred to as Tattersalls Tavern in Knightsbridge, till I discovered success modelling.
The place would you advocate for a primary date?
Exercise dates are very revealing, so I believe tenpin bowling.
Which retailers do you depend on?
Curated Man in Richmond may be very small, however has very cool stuff. I used to love going to Dover Road Market however I really feel all the pieces is somewhat on the market and too vibrant for me now — I’m an excessive amount of of a dad. I really like the massive shops like Selfridges at Christmas, too.
We go to the River Café quite a bit as a result of it’s on the correct aspect of city for us, although we do have to remortgage the home for the meal. Final week we went with Stanley [Tucci] and his spouse Fi, who’re superb mates of ours. We at all times allow them to order as a result of they’re such foodies. That bizarre tacky, garlicky pizza factor they bring about out is unreal, and I had veal the opposite night time and it was the most effective issues I’ve ever eaten.
Stanley Tucci and Felicity Blunt
Dave Benett
What would you do should you have been Mayor for the day?
I’d convey again the old-school Routemaster buses that you might leap on and off. They have been my favorite factor in regards to the metropolis after I first moved to London. I can’t deal with how sluggish the visitors is so I stroll in all places now.
Who’s essentially the most iconic Londoner?
I believe Kate Moss wants an honourable point out, as I’m taking on the Weight loss program Coke reign. She’s as iconic because it will get. Or Invoice Nighy — I consider Invoice after I consider London.
Dave Benett/Getty Pictures for Die
Neatest thing a cabbie has ever mentioned to you?
It’s the alternative — I’ve jumped out of two black cabs for them being racist. And weirdly I used to be with the identical good friend each occasions, who I used to dwell with. I used to be appalled.
Have you ever ever had a run-in with a London police officer?
No. I’m at all times on the correct aspect of the regulation.
The place do you go to let your hair down?
Again within the day it could have been Cloth. Now I’ve 100 youngsters I don’t let my hair down, ever.
Who do you name while you wish to have enjoyable?
Two of my oldest mates — Andrew Murray (not the tennis participant) and Mark Jones. We had an evening lately the place we went to Dukes for a martini — they solely help you have two as a result of they’re so robust.
What’s your London secret?
Strolling over the bridge from Waterloo to Embankment may be very particular due to the view — the London Eye, the Homes of Parliament and Huge Ben, it’s magical.
Boats cross the London Eye (Lucy North/PA)
PA Wire
What are you as much as in the mean time for work?
I’m the brand new face of Weight loss program Coke, and I’m additionally doing a collection for Netflix referred to as The Undertow, which is able to come out subsequent yr.
What makes London particular?
There’s no higher place than London for individualism, variety, uniqueness and self-expression. You could be who you wish to be. That’s why I needed to do the Weight loss program Coke ‘That is my style’ marketing campaign as a result of that’s what it’s about.
My dad was my hero. I misplaced him a couple of years in the past however my dad was the best and smartest particular person I’ve ever met. [I learnt] to be courteous and good to individuals, and deal with everybody the identical, and simply be type and first rate, which I’m attempting to cross onto our youngsters. I believe Eric Cantona might be my sporting hero.
I used to gather rocks that appear like potatoes. I used to be on a seashore filming a film in Norfolk 18 years in the past and I discovered a rock that appeared like a potato. Over time I’ve discovered fairly a couple of — Maris Piper dimension largely. I’ve about seven — from a distance you’ll say, “Oh take a look at all these potatoes”.
The place would you go for a Weight loss program Coke break?
There’s somewhat café below the bridge in Richmond referred to as Tide Tables that feels such as you’re in Paris. You sit overlooking the river there. Pretty place to take a seat and have a Weight loss program Coke.