Reece Shearsmith, 44, was born in Hull. In 1995, he co-founded the award-winning comedy quartet The League Of Gentlemen. In 2009, Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton created Psychoville, which won two British comedy awards, for BBC2, and followed it this year with Inside No 9. Shearsmith stars in a new ITV drama, Chasing Shadows, which starts on 4 September. He is married with two children and lives in London.
When were you happiest?
On my honeymoon in Lapland.
What is your greatest fear?
Being made head of Nasa. I don't know the first thing about it.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
There's a man at the tube who hands out ShortList magazine. He has never given up trying to make me take one. I admire that.
What is your most treasured possession?
I have a piece of the left leg of the Wicker Man (from the 1973 film), and Sir Christopher Lee signed it for me when I went to dinner with him.
What would your superpower be?
Flying would be good, but it comes with its own set of problems – electrical pylons and such.
What makes you unhappy?
Reality television.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
The whole head.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
The velociraptor. What could go wrong?
Who would play you in the film of your life?
I would see if I was available. If not, I'd like to see a woman in the role – Miriam Margolyes, for example.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I do enjoy stealing cheese. There's no way I'm paying those prices.
What do you owe your parents?
My sense of humour.
To whom would you most like to say sorry and why?
The man I have never taken a ShortList magazine from at the tube.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife, Jane.
What does love feel like?
Being surrounded by family.
What was the best kiss of your life?
I met Jane on tour during a play. We first kissed in a coffin. It was lovely.
Which living person do you most despise, and why?
That bastard at the tube who tries to give me ShortList.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I have started saying "ridic" and I don't like it.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
That I grew old.
How often do you have sex?
Define your terms.
What is the closest you've come to death?
When I was small, my brother and I had a horrible car accident driving back from the seaside with my grandad and uncle. It was a proper Dukes of Hazzard-style car roll. Amazingly, no one was hurt. What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Staff.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Managing to find my wife and trapping her into marrying me.
What keeps you awake at night?
Sometimes the overwhelming realisation that I will one day die; but mostly that ShortList man from the tube throwing stones at my window.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Never give up – it might just happen.
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