Actor Jason Merrells reveals his life on the road in and out of Emmerdale

Jason Merrells plays Declan Macey in Emmerdale and will be tying the knot in the 40th anniversary week with Katie Sugden. With revengeful sister Megan on the warpath things are bound to go wrong. In the show, Declan drives a Morgan, which is fine by Merrells as he’s a car and bike fanatic

What was your first car?

A lime green Mini, that nearly killed me on two occasions.

Did you pass your test on your first attempt?

Yes, I did pass my test first time. My dad used to take me to the cardrome in Romford where kids can drive their parents cars on a little made-up circuit. You are allowed to go there from as young as your feet can reach the peddles. So by the time I was on the roads and taking my test I was quite confident.

What was your first crash?

The steering went completely once as I was turning into my Sixth Form College. I hit the stone gate – fortunately I was unhurt. On another occasion the brakes failed entirely, and I had to quickly swerve around a braking car ahead, up onto the pavement and around in front of it before trailing to a stop. A bit nerve-wracking at the time.

What is your best car to date and why?

I always wanted a Porsche 911 and I did have (an old classic 1980s one) in 2003 for a couple of years, but it was always going wrong and breaking down because it was so old, but when it went it was great, like driving a spitfire on the road. I also loved my Saab 900 turbo (old shape) one of the first commercial turbo engines, sounded like a jet when it got going. Favourite car at the moment is the one I am driving – an Infiniti FX3.0ds, a powerful and comfortable car to drive that looks fantastic and stylish. It’s very strong and luxurious but still has plenty of power, the design is great, it doesn’t look like any other car. So I’m loving driving that at the moment.

Your worst car to date and why?

Mechanically – probably the Mini, styling wise – a Talbot Alpine.

If money/environment/family or circumstance was no object what would you have?

Well, where do I start? I would have three dream vehicles to cover all bases: For family and fun a customised VW camper van that would have the high spec designed interior. For banging about in the country and for when the balloon goes up – a Land Rover Defender Tech-X special edition, (perhaps with an Airstream 534 hitched to the back) And then for me...and possibly my son, a Bugatti Veyron or an Aston Martin DB9 When did you get your first motorbike?

I first got on a bike when I was at college, at 18, a Honda 90, followed by a Honda 100 then a Yamaha 400. A few years later I got myself a Kawasaki 600 trial bike. Then a Honda Hornet Have you ever competed or raced a bike?

Unfortunately no, but would like to do a track day.

What bike do you own?

A Yamaha Fazer FZ1s.

What bike would you love to own?

For Europe a Ducatti 1199 Panigale. For America a Harley Davidson Fat Boy.