The world fell in love with you on Love on the Spectrum. You didn’t find a partner during filming, but have you found love since?

I was in a relationship for 18 months until April this year. I loved being a boyfriend. The best thing about being a boyfriend is probably being in a committed relationship, and also the fact that you get to kiss your girlfriend anytime you want – except for when she’s not in the highest of spirits.

Yes, it’s best if both people want to kiss at the same time.

That’s true.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever done for love?

I’m not sure if this counts as strange, but flying to the opposite side of the country for a date – from Sydney to Perth, about three years ago. I did it once, and I would even fly overseas if I had to. It wasn’t for television, and nothing romantic came of it, but a platonic relationship did.

You star in the show Austin, and in the first series you meet Billie Piper. What’s she like?

Meeting Billie Piper was quite an honour because I am quite a fan of her music – especially the song Day and Night. I have seen clips of her on Doctor Who, and she was wonderful in that show, but I have to admit I’ve never been a Doctor Who fan.

Is it true that you stayed with Sally Phillips when you were filming Austin in the UK?

I did, when I was there for the first time. If I was given the chance to stay with her again, I would do it.

How do you rate her hosting skills?

On a scale of one to 10, I would give her a 9.5 out of 10.

Sally Phillips, Michael Theo and Ben Miller in Austin. Photograph: BBC/Northern Pictures/Screen Canberra/Australian Broadcasting Corporation/ITV Studios

What’s been your most memorable interaction with a fan?

I’ve actually had many memorable interactions with fans. They’re all lovely encounters because it’s nice to be recognised and it’s lovely receiving that kind of attention, but it’s not the most important thing in the world. Here’s the thing: because fans love and admire your work so much, the least you can do is just give them a moment of your time. And if they ask for a selfie, I allow it because it puts a smile on their face and it makes their day.

Do you have a nemesis?

No. But if I had a nemesis, I would only want a nemesis for the sole purpose of novelty. Because I have no interest in defeating that person, or one-upping them. I would much rather focus on the novelty, which would be trash-talking them and getting under their skin. Just for the fun of it! I like the challenge.

If you could plan a fantasy dinner party of people, who would be on your guest list?

It would be people like [voice actors] Daws Butler, Don Messick, Mel Blanc, Phil Hartman; Alan Hale Jr, Bob Denver – all the cast of Gilligan’s Island; [comedians] Marc Evan Jackson, Nick Offerman; all the cast of Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine; along with Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem, Jack Black. Gia Carides, the whole cast of Austin. I would also invite Stephen Curry, Shane Jacobson, Susie Porter, Justine Clarke, Claudia Karvan, Rob Collins …

It’s gonna be a big party! Who is catering?

What food would I serve them? I would most likely serve them Mediterranean-style food. And I would most likely need some help from my mother.

I hope she is invited too?

Of course! Also there would be two other people I would add to the list: Ian McShane and JK Simmons.

If you could have a sandwich named after you, what would be in it?

Chicken breast, Swiss cheese, boiled egg, sliced pickles, onion and lettuce, on rye bread. Maybe it could be called something like “The Mr A+ Sandwich”, because rye bread is the best one and the ingredients should be healthy as well. Food should be about nutrition, not just flavour and enjoyment.

You published a children’s book this year, Edward’s Astonishing Animals. What is your favourite picture book?

One particular children’s book I enjoy reading is called Go to Sleep, Anxiety! based off the sequel to Inside Out. I love that book because it shows the other emotions trying to get Anxiety to go to sleep – and, eventually, she finally sleeps. Sometimes you just want to give that character a big hug.

I know what it’s like to have anxiety myself. And I know it’s something that can’t be beaten or cured; it is something that we need to manage and I have various ways to manage it. Things that help me are water, music, television and soft toys. Soft toys are particularly beneficial. I started collecting Squishmallows and I’ve got over 60 of them now.

If you could be on any other reality TV show, what would it be?

Dancing with the Stars! I actually enjoy dancing, ballroom dancing specifically, and I enjoy dancing with a woman. I think I would most likely wear a suit, a tie and a shirt. Would a top hat be too much?

How many top hats do you have?

Just the one. I purchased the hat in 2022, and I wore it for my Ted Talk. It’s been my trademark ever since. I wear it whenever I attend an event, because there’s a specific rule: dress for the occasion. You don’t see a top hat everywhere you go.

I hope you do get to wear a top hat on Dancing with the Stars one day.

It would be an honour to be on that show, perhaps with Emma Memma. I’ve put it out to the universe many times … if only there was a way to make it happen!