The Actor's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is stepping into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know all the words to
I recently realised that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect song to put on at a soirée
It relies on which phase of the party you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal song to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to play the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord every time.

The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.