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A gentle bloke and true friend, Ed is very close to his sister, Cat.

A would-be novelist, Ed pays the rent with temping work, often working alongside Tess in times of need. Ed's love life is a disaster and he puts his lack of success with women down to not being macho enough.

Ed has a secret and long-standing crush on Tess but she is completely oblivious to his adoration, seeing him merely as a good friend and confidante.

Describe your character Ed

There's not much to dislike about Ed. He's loyal, a great friend who'd go out of his way to make people happy.
He's a writer, because it gives him an outlet for his emotions – a safe place where he can examine his feelings before committing to them in public.

A good example of how quirky and alternative he is, is he's written a sci-fi/romance novel about an inventor who falls in love with an alien woman while hurtling towards the sun in a spaceship. Not many of those around!

What attracts Ed to this gang of girls?

Ed finds it easier to relax among gay women because there is no hidden agenda. Deep down, he thinks he is inadequate boyfriend material. He thinks straight woman want big, strong, macho guys who play rugby and eat raw steak for breakfast – everything that Ed is not.

By hanging out with lesbians it's easy. There's no pressure to perform, to impress and be something he isn't. He can be the Ed that everybody loves.

What is it about Tess that Ed loves?

Tess is all the things that Ed wishes he could be and so much more. She fills the holes in his personality.

Tess makes Ed laugh more than anybody else, even when he is feeling at his lowest points. They share the same quirky, silly, childish sense of humour. They are a great double act. Her presence alone fills Ed with confidence.
A world without Tess would be the most boring place that Ed can imagine. Ed can't help loving Tess and his sensible, logical, rational side tells him that he shouldn't act upon his emotions. Deep down, he knows his love for Tess is pointless. But, of course, you can't control who you fall in love with.

Do you think Ed is having trouble accepting Tess is a lesbian?

No – but he lives on the belief that anything is possible. It's a love/hate thing – he loves Tess and loves hanging out and being with her and being a part of every decision she makes. But it is excruciatingly painful to watch her fall in love with other women.

How does he feel about his sister Cat?

I have three sisters and Ed's relationship with Cat reminds me of my own relationship with them. We love each other and can be frighteningly similar in some ways but totally opposite in others.

Cat is a bit of a control freak, bordering on the neurotic. Ed is a lot more laid back, probably as a reaction against this. But when either of them is down they know they can turn to each other for support and advice. Ed is totally loyal to his sister. Sometimes I think he doesn't realise it and it's not until he sees her being hurt by Frankie that he has the instinct to protect her.

Did you and the rest of the Lip Service cast spend a lot of time together off set?

Yes – we spent a lot of times eating and drinking around the Merchant City in Glasgow. We got to know the menu at the Italian café very well indeed!

Fiona and I got a little spooked out after realising we had both ordered exactly the same things from a tapas menu of about a hundred choices – tuna tartar, meatballs and baked aubergine!

Where are you from originally?

I'm originally from Lancashire but spent a lot of time as a kid moving from school to school as my dad kept changing jobs. I thought it was pretty normal, actually, and presumed everybody did it. It was pretty good for me I think – I liked change and meeting new people. I still do.