Actor Jack Lowden goes old school at The Wolseley, loves a Smithfield stroll and escapes to ... the M1

Paul Weller screams London to me. He's got that perfect pitch of being grumpy but also being very cool

- Vicky Jessop

What was your first job in London?

I worked behind the bar in the Clissold Arms in Muswell Hill. I couldn’t pour a pint. I basically poured a cloud, but I said I could. I just blagged my way into that. My first acting job would have been Black Watch, a play with the National Theatre of Scotland. I think we did two months at the Barbican in about 2010.

What’s the best meal you’ve had in the capital?

I’ve had really great meals at Elliot’s, just off London Fields. They do some mean things with Isle of Mull cheddar. Phwoar. I also went to The Wolseley recently. I love the old schoolness of places like that — and Balthazar. They have that French café feeling.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

I’d ban jogging groups and cyclists from canal walkways. I would ban that in a heartbeat. When you’re walking, every 25 seconds you hear someone go, “Excuse me, get out the way.” And they’re puffing. I want to say, “Go run somewhere else”.

Who is the most iconic Londoner?

Paul Weller screams London to me. I’ve met him a bunch of times. He’s really cool. He’s also got that perfect pitch of being grumpy, which I think is very London, not really wanting to take much shit but also being very cool. He’s an icon of both music and fashion. He’s who I’d want to bump into. He’s who I’d want driving a taxi.