Weve got nine generations of farmers in my family, in Warwickshire. And I do feel connected to being a farmers son. There was a time when I didnt, when I rebelled against it, but theres certainly that sort of work ethic within me.
I grew up in a farming family. I hated cleaning out the chickens but loved hatching them and feeding the new born sheep. The smell of hot milk still has a special resonance for me. Harvest was back-breaking work, though... Where do you think Jesus got his biceps from?
I worked for a while as a teaching assistant while I was struggling. I really enjoyed it, working with kids with special needs, autism. It takes a hell of a lot of concentration, and you've got to focus on the child properly for seven hours a day.
Obviously most of the western world has an image of Jesus in their minds, [and] I'm pretty sure I don't fit that many. You always know if you take on that role, you're going to disappoint a lot of people in the process. I did my best.
I don't know whether I much enjoyed education. I was not academically gifted.
I didn't do plays at school, because I didn't have the confidence. At 14, I was at boarding school in Devon and I suffered from dyslexia quite badly, but they had a very good department there which specialised in it.
