Stephen Tompkinson

The Wild at Heart star dreams of exotic holiday homes and still has nightmares about a pricey suit

Would you consider yourself sensible when it comes to money?

I would, but it’s hardly surprising coming from my background. When I was growing up in the north of England my dad was a bank manager, so being sensible with cash was instilled in me from a very early age. As a student, too, my account was with Dad’s bank, so he could track my finances at will. There was no hiding place as far as that was concerned, but it taught me not to squander money or run up debts and I’m grateful for that now.

Ever experienced lean times?

From 1984 to 1987, I survived on £35 a week, or a fiver a day. It seems incredible now.

Are you a saver or a splurger?

Oh, I can be both. I tend not to spend very much when I’m away working, but when the work is finished, I might reward myself with a bit of a splurge.

And what might that splurge involve?

Holidays are my biggest extravagance. Just recently, I was in a play in Newcastle, followed by filming for the new series of DCI Banks. Then I had a short break before heading off to South Africa to film Wild at Heart. So I used that time to holiday at a gorgeous villa in Elounda in Crete. It had its own infinitypool, gym, sauna and steam room. It was extravagant, but I didn’t begrudge a penny.

Any spending regrets?

I’ve made a few terrible – and expensive – fashion choices over the years. There was a hideous red, black and coral suit that I wore for the comedy awards one year. Suffice to say that four years later, I gave it up as an auction prize at a charity event and not one person bid for it!

How would you spend your last £100?

A good meal somewhere. I’m very fond of a fish restaurant called J. Sheekey.

And if you won the lottery?

I’d like some holiday homes dotted about the place, in several beautiful locations. I don’t think you could go wrong with bricks and mortar.

What’s the best piece of financial advice anyone has ever given you?

Well, my dad always used to quote from Polonius’s speech in Hamlet: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be”. So I don’t, for example, have store cards and if I take money out of the cash machine, it’s to a specific budget. I don’t just keep going back for more or lose track. I suppose I have an ingrained fear of debt.

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