Nick Miles plays Jimmy King in ITV’s Emmerdale. His favourite charity is When You Wish Upon A Star, which offers wish fulfilment for very sick children, but he also supports Birders Against Wildlife Crime and the League Against Cruel Sports. “It’d be easier to conserve wildlife if we first stop slaughtering it,” he says. Follow Nick on Twitter @Nick_Miles_

What was your first car?

My first car was a dreadful VW Beetle in 70s orange. It had the bigger engine but that just meant it drank like a fish. I was always dinking it so the bolt-on wings were handy, it ended up black and orange.

How many times did it take to pass your test?

I had to take my test twice. The first time I was tested in the driving school Mini but I practised the whole weekend before in my Dad's massive Peugeot estate. I was failed for driving more than three feet away from the kerb, my instructor said it was a first.

Who would be your fantasy passenger and where would you go?

The Northern Echo: Mark Avery: Fighting for Birds

I just read a brilliant book called Inglorious by the conservationist Mark Avery, above. I'd love to take him for a drive to show me some Hen Harriers. Might be a long way though as they keep getting killed.

What is your dream car?

I'd kill for an Alfa Romeo 4C, below. They just look so beautiful, no powered steering, proper driving in the kind of car I fantasised about as a kid. Not sure where I'd put my Westie mind.

The Northern Echo: The new Alfa Romeo 4C

How would you describe your driving style?

My wife thinks I drive too fast, but I drive very accurately with no distractions so I'd say I drive carefully, but then wouldn't everyone? I've always driven a petrol car with a manual gearbox.

Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?

When I was a student driving in France I was stopped by a young policewoman who had an older Sergeant with her. I had no licence, no insurance, no passport and no French, but as I kept saying 'no' to all her questions we both started blushing and giggling. Her Sergeant got so angry with her he ordered her back into the patrol car and they drove off.

What are you listening to?

My car has DAB so I flick between 6music for indie music, Radio4 for news, and 5live if Arsenal are on. Sometimes an audiobook, Elvis Costello's recent autobiography was great.

The Northern Echo: Elvis Costello's song Shipbuilding spoke out against Margaret Thatcher's industrial policy

What are you driving?

I'm driving an Alfa Romeo Giulietta. I was climbing a hill in my old VW R32 and one breezed by me with ease. I bought my Alfa two weeks later, still furious.