Where are you from and how did you originally get into acting?

I'm from Kirby in Liverpool and the first play I did was Treasure Island in Junior School. A very big Liverpudlian actor called Drew Schofield saw the play, thought I was good and advised me to go to the Everyman (Liverpool Youth Theatre). I started going up there every Wednesday night - it was better than nicking cars and getting into trouble and so from the age of 11, I realised that acting was what I wanted to do.

How did it feel to go from being a relatively unknown actor to starring in 2000's biggest film?

It was a bit weird at first. I've always had dreams and aspirations to be in a good film and a big film, but when it actually happens it's kinda strange. Especially when me and my girlfriend stand waiting for the tube and my face is on a billboard opposite, or when my mates phone me and say, "I've seen the posters!"

How did you get the part in Snatch?

It was uncanny really. Guy Ritchie did a short film a few years ago just as I left college and one of my mates went for an audition. I went with him and was waiting outside when Guy came over and asked me if I was next. I told him I was just here with a friend but he was like "Come in. I like your face." I went in, we had a chat and he said, "You've got the part. You start work Monday morning."

When I saw Lock, Stock and Two Smoking barrels, I was made up because it's such a good film and to work with Guy before he did that was great. But a part of me wished I'd known about the auditions for that. Anyway, apparently Guy was watching a video of something I'd done on TV recognized my face and got me in to audition for Snatch. I read the script and got the job the next day. There was a lot of luck involved!

So you've started going to loads of showbiz parties then?

No. I'm not really into that. We've had loads of invites and things but it's a job at the end of the day, and that's how I like to keep it. You get a lot of sad people who would go to the opening of a letter just to get their face seen out but I think it's best to let your work do the talking really. I'd rather have a bottle of wine and watch Match of the Day.

What was it like to work with Brad Pitt?

It was great because he's such a lovely fella and he's got his head screwed on. Personally, I think he's a great actor who chooses really good roles. At first it was a bit daunting but he's got no airs and graces about him - he's a really down-to-earth person.

Who is the most talented person you've worked with?

I don't know. Different people have different things to offer. It was good to work with Guy Ritchie because he's fresh and exciting, and you don't know what's going to happen next on the set. He changes it constantly and keeps you on your toes. Also, he really lets you improvise so you're not confined into a certain structure - you're free to do what you want with your character. Martin Scorsese approaches things very differently. He's still fresh but he's got an idea that's in his head and he uses his actors to paint a picture. He allows you to improvise but he knows exactly what he wants. I just feel honoured to be working with these people in the first place.

Tell us about the film you're doing now.

It's a Martin Scorsese film called Gangs of New York. It's about the Irish immigrants that went over to New York in the 19th century, and all the gang fighting that occurred between them and the American patriots. It shows the gambling, prostitution and alcohol runs that went on - it's an insight into how New York actually was.

Who else is in the film?

Leonardo Dicaprio, Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day-Lewis, Liam Neeson, Jim Broadbent, Gary Lewis (the father in Billy Elliot) and Brendan Gleeson. I've always hoped to work with actors like these and to be classed as a similar calibre to these people.

But you've been teaching Leonardo bad habits....?

Well! Leo's got a little golf buggy to ride around in and we were bored waiting for the scene to be set up one day, so I asked if I could borrow it. I found this boss dirt track and so went back to pick up Leo and show him. The film set's massive - it's Chinachitta in Rome, where they filmed Spartacus. We were rallying around statues that we recognised from Ben Hur. Anyway, we found this big hill to race down and just as we got to the bottom I shouted, "pull the handbrake on". So Leo pulled the handbrake, I turned the wheel and the buggy just rolled. Leo jumped out shouting "you crazy Liverpool f*cker!!" If we'd have got caught there'd have been big trouble because if Leo hurts himself we'd have to stop filming. But he's a real nice lad - down-to-earth, likes his Hip-Hop - a top fella.

So you have a good laugh as well as working?

Definitely. In one of the scenes there's a play going on and we're all supposed to be throwing rotten fruit at the play. One of the extras threw a tomato at Gary [Lewis] and hit him in the head. Then a lettuce hit Daniel [DayLewis]. So a group of us actors just went crazy at the extras, started chucking rotten fruit at the Italians, hitting the old men on the head and just going nuts. There was a full-on food riot for twenty minutes - we had a real laugh doing that scene.

What are your plans for the future?

Well first I've got to finish Gangs of New York which could be next year. Things are going really well at the minute; it's like being on the crest of a wave so I'll just see what happens. There are things I'd like to do but ultimately, I just want to continue making good films and good television.

Look out for Gangs of New York in British cinemas in the near future.

Snatch is in video shops now!

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