At last, we've nabbed Heat's most requested interviewee ever, Buffy's hunky vampire chum Angel, aka David Boreanaz.

TV spin-offs don't have a great tradition of success. Did you expect Angel to be such a huge hit?

No I didn't at all. I went into it thinking it was just another job. I just wanted to have fun with it. How do you keep a straight face with all the show's ludicrous monster effects? I don't! I'm always laughing. It's one of my problems. It's very upsetting to the producers. I also have a big falling down problem. I'll crash through a door and end up twisting something.

Don't you have a stunt double?

Yeah, he's been with me for about five years. I do about 65 per cent of the stunts. I wish I could do more, but I can't.

Are you martial arts trained?

I train in kung fu.

Do you have any belts?

I've got a black belt on now. See? No, I've only been doing it for about five months.

What's the most annoying question you get asked?

People always ask me if I'm gonna bite their neck. They should come up with more interesting questions like: 'why are you wearing those socks?' [lifts up jeans to display black socks with blue flowers.]

Why ARE you wearing those socks?

I like socks. Different, colourful ones. That's more interesting to talk about. I think people are interesting for who they are, not what they represent, because that transcends itself.

Why do you think people like Angel?

His vulnerability, his sense of style and he drives a fast car.

What car do you drive?

I have a Mercedes sports car, a fast one.

You can't go that fast in America, though, can you?

Oh yeah you can. You just don't get caught.

Did anything go on between you and Sarah Michelle Gellar when you were together in Buffy?

Nothing. She was fun to work with. She's a lovely girl.

Was she a good kisser?

Yeah, she's a good kisser.

Are you as scared as we are that George W Bush is President?[Laughs]

Not as scared as we are that Tony Blair's running your country to be honest with you. It works both ways.

Is it true that something like only 25 per cent of Americans have passports?

Yeah, it's a shame isn't it? It could be worse, look at the French. They don't leave their own country much either. They should. Then they wouldn't be so frustrated.

What's your favourite country?

Ireland. I love the people. They have good food there.

Is British food as bad as Americans say it is?

Oh it's horrible.

I'm sorry. What do you like least?

Bangers and mash.

It's just sausages and crushed potatoes...

Exactly.