I've always fancied Elizabeth Hurley: Hustle star Marc Warren reveals his all-time crush (2024)

By Amanda Cable for the Daily Mail
Updated: 22:00 GMT, 30 October 2009

Actor Marc Warren, 42, shot to fame playing Danny Blue in the hit BBC series Hustle, and remains the epitome of cool - despite once dating Abi Titmuss. Marc, who lives in north London, is playing club agent Ray Say in The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice in the West End.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

On a film set with Anthony Hopkins, because I've met him very briefly and I've always wanted to work with him. So, in my daydream, I'm going to be working with him and, in the break, when they set up the lights, there will be a piano in the room and he will start playing it. I've heard that he's a really good pianist, and to be in a room with my idol playing would be the height of cool.

What are your favourite television shows?

I love Curb Your Enthusiasm and Sopranos, but I don't watch a lot of TV. I tend to get box sets and watch a whole series at once. I love watching UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship – I don't know why, because I'm more of a coward than a fighter, but I seem to be very drawn to these blokes actually smashing each other to bits.

What kind of host are you?

Actually, I'm not a host at all. I'm not much of a socialiser, and I can only think of one party I've ever had. It was ten years ago, and I had just bought a new flat and thought it would be a good idea to celebrate with a party. Mind you, it didn't qualify me as a good host, because no food was served. And one party in over 40 years isn't much.

What is your earliest memory?

I had meningitis when I was four, and it was touch and go as to whether I'd survive. I went through a stage where I was hallucinating a lot, and I remember having some very weird images.

What would your friends say is your greatest quality?

I'm pretty caring, loyal and loving to those who are close to me. Two of my friends are from school, so I've known them for more than 30 years. My best friend, Paul Fisher, sat next to me in English when I was ten or 11. If you asked him, he'd say I was loyal. I don't think I've changed over the years. I've made sure that my feet are still firmly on the floor and, if they weren't, my mates would be crashing me back down to earth.

What would your enemies say is your greatest failing?

Well, I'm actually quite hard on myself, but I don't think my enemies would point this out, because it's more of an observation, and they would want to say something far nastier. Whatever my enemies said, I would try not to let it affect me. Life as an actor has toughened me up, and I've learned that you shouldn't take things too personally. Someone once said that to do this job you need talent, luck and a thick skin – which is so true.

What is your biggest regret?

I don't have any regrets, because every great lesson I've ever learnt has been from a mistake.

What is your favourite item of clothing?

I'm not really that bothered about fashion, but I do like a leather jacket I used to wear in Hustle, and my pair of men's Ugg boots. I've always envied girls having Ugg boots, so when I found some for men, I had to have them. I bought them just over a year ago and they are so fantastic that I wear them all the time.

What song would you like to have played at your funeral?

White Horses by Jackie Lee. It was the theme song to the television series White Horses, which I used to watch when I was young. I don't know why, but it just does something to me whenever I hear it. Perhaps it reminds me of my parents and my brother, because we would all watch the programme together.

What's the last dream you remember having?

I had quite a bizarre dream that John Simm, from Life On Mars, and I were auditioning for the same role, and we had to do it live on TV. In my dream, he got the gig. I called John up and told him about the dream – and he very kindly said that I could have the part!

Which famous person is your all-time crush?

I've always quite fancied Elizabeth Hurley, and I did actually spend a whole day with her about 20 years ago, which is before she found fame with Hugh Grant. I was working as an extra, and we spent the day on a train together. She wasn't famous then, but I certainly noticed her.

I worked with Angelina Jolie two years ago, on the film Wanted, and she is pretty perfect. I also met Brad Pitt, and he's pretty perfect, too! I spent an afternoon with them go-karting, and they were so ordinary.

Then, at the end of the day, we all got into our cars to go home, and all these big guys turned up wearing sunglasses, and ushered Brad and Angelina into a darkened people carrier. It was a sudden reminder that, far from being an ordinary couple, they live in a totally different world of super stardom.

If you weren't an actor, what would you be?

I suppose it would have to be something creative, like writing or directing, but I've no idea if I'd be any good at it. I've always thought I'm fortunate just to be an actor. My teachers probably tried to get me interested in other things at school, but I was very young when I decided that I wanted to act. By the time I was 12, I was hellbent on it.

• The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice is at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, tel: 0844 579 1975.