Bloke at the back Ricky Whittle

Tall, dark and handsome, it’s no surprise ex-soap star Ricky has charmed his way to the big time…

Ravishing Ricky!

Ricky whittle quickstepped his way into the nation’s heart after he came second on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009. Since then, he’s found fame stateside, where he’s now based, starring in a string of US dramas such as Mistresses and The 100. now Ricky, 35, is back in new show American Gods…

Strictly was one of the best experiences of my life. Before, i was pigeon-toed and my shoulders were hunched. But learning to dance improved my posture – my feet are no longer turned in, and i now walk with my shoulders back and my chest out.

In Britain, we can be down on people who want to better themselves. in america, you get congratulated for working out and wanting to look your best, whereas in the uk, it was, ‘oh, i bet he fancies himself!’ i enjoy the can-do attitude of the us.

I don’t see myself as a heart-throb. i mean, when you’re in the public eye, you get access to brilliant make-up artists and fantastic lighting, so in photos you can always look ideal. i don’t focus on my looks as i know they’re not going to last.

Every year, I fly my mum over to La for her birthday. my parents have always wanted me to be happy. They’ve never needed me to be a doctor or saving the world – they just wanted me to be well adjusted and know my own mind.

I do have a girlfriend, but the amount I have to travel makes relationships tough. in a way it’s a lonely industry as you’re often filming far away, so you have to do the long-distance thing and then you’re going back to a hotel on your own.

when I was younger, I thought I’d be married with kids by 25. i’ve got loads of nieces and nephews and i’d love to have children, but i actually think i don’t need to be settling down for a while.

✱ American Gods is available on amazon Prime Video now