Neil Morrissey: 'There was a rocky road in terms of relationships for a while'

We asked the  actor, 56, what his younger self would make of him today...

A big element of my childhood was when I  was taken into care, aged 10. It’s never pleasant taking a child away from their family, but my parents weren’t the best, in terms of leaving us alone in the house and going out to the pub. We were four smart, active boys and as soon as the coast was clear we were out on the streets of Stafford, throwing stones and appropriating other people’s possessions. We were basically just naughty boys, but social services saw us as vulnerable children and felt it was safer for us to be in the care -home system.

Neil Morrissey

I don’t know if it’s a nature or nurture thing, but I’ve turned out all right now, although I know lots of people who didn’t. As a child I was always thinking, “This isn’t for ever”. I knew at some point I would be in charge of myself, by hook or by crook. It made me a more tolerant person, I guess.

There was a stigma attached to being a care -home child – I didn’t have the nicest clothes, I couldn’t have a haircut, I didn’t get pocket money –but it didn’t seem to affect my happiness. I had a great time at school.

From the age of 11 I got stuck into school plays and local drama. There was always a part to play, or I’d be going to the theatre to paint scenery. I remember the drama teacher saying to other children, “Watch Neil, he’s good at this”. Getting praise all of a sudden, as opposed to being accused of being naughty, felt amazing. And then getting applause or a laugh on stage made me feel like I’d found something in my life. It wasn’t until 16 that drama seemed like something I could do for a living. The careers officer had said “that’s no profession”, so, because I was doing all my sciences, I started saying I wanted to be a doctor. And that was acceptable. But I ended up going to Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and that was fantastic fun. Some of my best mates in the world are people I met there.

After drama school I was fully prepared to end up living in a council flat, doing street theatre and getting the odd job when it turned up. So I wouldn’t have believed the career I’ve had. My younger self would probably be most excited about Men Behaving Badly, because of the childish nature of the characters. But the teenage me could never have foreseen that at 20 I’d be flown to Egypt to shoot The Bounty with Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson.

I’ve always had a strong work ethic; once I say yes, you get 100 per cent. I’ve always learnt the words, not bumped into the furniture, and been congenial on set.

Growing up as I did, I didn’t understand the pull of family until later in life. Now I’m in a long and happy relationship with Emma [Killick, a lawyer] and I’m close to her family. I’ve got a wonderful son who is 28 and a beautiful man. Amanda, his mother, and I are still good friends.

There was a rocky road for a while in terms of relationships. Freud would have a lot to say about it. Being taken into care did have an effect on me psychologically. But still,

I’m godfather to a few children and I’ve said – should anything happen to their parents – I’ll have them.

Series 3 of Unforgotten is on Sundays at 9pm on ITV