What matters to me? Julian Fellowes

Whom did you last text and what was the message?

David Robb – Doctor Clarkson in Downton Abbey – to say how pleased I was that we were all going again.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

As a young man, I was rather nervous of wine lists, and my late cousin advised: "My dear boy, you'll never go wrong with a chablis."

What's the worst job you ever had?

Playing a demented soon-to-be-parent in an unfunny ITV sitcom called Doctors' Daughters, 30 years ago.

Who is your favourite fictional character?

Possibly Lady Dedlock in Bleak House.

What are you afraid of?

Less now, thank heaven.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

At school, I was known as Plastic Head, because all my spots vanished overnight and the only explanation seemed to be that I had changed heads.

What situations make you lose your temper?

My wife Emma would say almost everything.

What would your alternate profession be?

I always feel I could have been a solicitor or a barrister.

What would you change about yourself?

My nose and waist.

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

I would probably have liked to be born in 1830 and to die in 1913.

Saturday night or Sunday morning?

They provide different pleasures and so complement each other.

Who is the love of your life?

My wife.

• From Time To Time, directed by Fellowes is out on DVD on 21 February, 10.99, Spirit Entertainment; Downton Abbey, written by Fellowes, is out on DVD, 24.99, Universal Pictures.

This article was first published in The Scotsman, 12 February, 2011