Quotes from Ricky Whittle

I believe it's my position as a partner to make the other feel secure. I'm very loving and very into my partners when I am with them. I just want them to feel safe.

I don't think anything can prepare you for the 'Strictly' experience. It really is insane. I mean, I played football, rugby, American football. I go to the gym. I like to think I'd be quite fit, and I don't have much fat on me to lose, and yet I still lost a stone and half and three inches off my waist.

They say that no one walks in L.A., and it's definitely true, and I'm embracing that.

First black Bond - that's my aim! That's the one!

Growing up, at that time, I didn't want to be black because I was bullied, and I'd tell my mum that I wanted to be white like everyone else at school.

Blood must not have blood... I don't stand for anyone bullying bullies.

I'm a huge sun baby. As soon as the sun comes out, my smile gets bigger, so I'm constantly smiling in L.A. It's a fantastic place to be.

I love L.A. I love America; it's fantastic. The people are friendly, and everyone's always smiling. The sun is always shining. My only problem is choosing what color shorts to wear.

My friends said I was crazy, but L.A. is the hub of the industry. It's the epicenter of the business. If I wanted to get above the plateau that I had reached in the U.K., I had to make that move.

My abs were my bread and butter in the U.K. - the calendars, the photoshoots, and all that came with it.

I'd do whatever it takes to stay in California; maybe not L.A. because it's so crazy.

We can all do something to help end domestic violence. A Real Man would never abuse his partner or children, and I am proud to put my name to the Women's Aid Real Man campaign.

I'm very competitive, and I want to be known to do well.

I have always thought beach weddings are beautiful. A sunset ceremony with a beautiful sky, white drapes and fire lanterns.

I really have a new-found respect for dancers.

I'm ambitious and I'm determined and I know where I'm going to be. It's not where I want to be, but where I'm going to be.

As actors, when you can't be in the room with the casting director or the producers, you put yourself on tape and send it off.

I want to act in films and TV drama, so that's where I'm aiming to be, and I'm not going to let anything distract me or turn my head until I get there.

We try and give as much diversity to our show as possible. That's something that's very strong in our show: there are so many strong female leads in 'The 100.'

I must have been 15 or 16 when I left Antrim Grammar, but I do remember having my first proper kiss when I lived there.

We need to sort the kids out and educate them properly. After all, they are our future.

My favourite compliment now is that people are talking about my acting, my craft - not my torso.

Sometimes, when you've got a couple of females on the cast, you'll have a diva, or you'll have arguments. I've been on shows where girls haven't quite got on.

I'm more of a mimic. My accent tends to drift to where ever I am.