Ben Hardy

Working with Mrs. Clarke at The Gryphon School is when I really began to think of acting as a potential career. ”

It's crazy. I couldn't believe it going from 'EastEnders' to 'X-Men.' I was just looking to leave and get any job, so when I actually got the job, I was in dreamland. ”

It's hard to imagine you've got these massive wings in your back. You have to think about how it's going to affect your posture, affect the way you move, just, like, the sheer weight of them. ”

I remember watching 'EastEnders' as a kid with my mum, and even my dad would be gripped by the odd episode. So to think I would be part of the show was a strange feeling at first. ”

I just wanted to get out there and do different roles and try new things. ”

L.A. is big, although Hollywood's not as glamorous as I thought; it's kind of grungy. ”

For a while, I didn't want to leave the house. Eventually, I just got sick of being indoors. Now I take steps not to be noticed when I don't want to be. For instance, I live near Westfield shopping centre, so I won't go there at the weekend. ”

It's great to be up for 'Best Newcomer' and 'Sexiest Male.' ”

I don't really think of myself as a heartthrob. ”

I don't regret being topless in certain things, but there were some things in 'EastEnders' where there was no reason for me to be topless. ”