The actor talks about grabbing a lie in, refusing to exercise, and trying to get his family to agree which film to watch
Sunday lie in? If I can get to 9.30, that’s a win. I’ve never been a morning person, but sadly a lie-in doesn’t mean midday any more.
Breakfast? There tends to be a brunchy sort of thing that happens. Omelettes, maybe muesli and yoghurt, cups of tea. I’m certainly not the cook in our house. My wife Meera [Syal] is brilliant. In an effective division of labour, I’m good at the washing-up, and I mean superb, an excellent dishwasher.
Any workouts? I probably should exercise more, but I steadfastly refuse. There might be an occasional walk that will be suggested by someone else. I’ll go along for sociable reasons but, if it’s left up to me, I won’t be shifting.
Sunday lunch? If there’s a roast, I’ll be involved in the prep. My stepdaughter, Chameli, lives nearby, so she’ll come over and our son, Shaan, joins before he disappears from view to work on his songwriting – it’s his passion.
In the afternoon? If Liverpool are playing, Shaan and I will be in front of the TV. They’re doing well, but there’s always anxiety.
What’s on TV? Trying to watch films as a family is a process. It starts with me presenting about eight films, there’s a debate about them, they all get rejected, then I find another eight, they get rejected, and then two hours have passed.
In the evening? There’s a fridge full of leftovers, so I’ll have some weird combination, like Indian food on toast. And read scripts.
Sunday wind-down? I’m reading Exterminate, Regenerate: The Story of Doctor Who by John Higgs. I’m also a big Elvis fan, so I’ve got From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough on the go. It takes me a long time to get to sleep. When the lights turn off, my brain switches on.
Unforgotten is on Sundays at 9pm on ITV1 and STV
