Rides go-karts round his tennis courts and, according to Stephen Fry (his best man), "hasn't got an ounce of showbiz in him".

Along with Tony Robinson and Tim McInnerny, he is one of only three actors to appear in all four "Blackadder" series: "The Black Adder" (1983), "Blackadder II" (1986), "Blackadder the Third" (1987) and "Blackadder Goes Forth" (1989).

Education: Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK (electrical engineering); Oxford University, Oxford, UK (electrical engineering)

Races (and also crashes) his Aston Martins in the Aston Martins Owners club series.

Writes articles for CAR (a British car magazine).

Has publicly opposed the British Labour government's plans to introduce new legislation on incitement to religious hatred, arguing that it would undermine free speech and thought (even citing the possible development of mind-reading technology), and that such measures would make political satire - which he considers seminal in a democracy - unworkable.

Once crashed his MacLaren F1, a supercar valued at more than $1,000,000, into the back of a stationary Mini Metro, valued at around $600. The damage was not severe.

He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Comedy Performance in 1982 for the 1981 season.

His wife, Sunetra Sastry, is a make-up artist.

Attended Cathedral Chorister School, Durham with Tony Blair.

Owns various fast cars (Aston Martin Vantages, etc.).

He was one of the guests at Prince Charles' and Camilla Parker-Bowles' wedding.

Has two children with Sunetra Sastry: Lily and Benjamin.

Has an HGV license.