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PA – Lucy (Laura Aikman)

A selfish, lazy, posh pig of a man who owes his considerable success not down to the contacts he brings to the Hartmann Payne table but the money Lucy (Laura Aikman) makes for him and his clients.

"Iain is a posh yobbo who does nothing and is a law unto himself," says Mark.

"He has been given this job because of a link with the CEO Leo Hartmann, but he's clueless and it's Lucy who does all the work.

"He takes all the credit, yet in reality he hasn't been anywhere near the office and is off getting bladdered abroad somewhere."

A true bon vivant, Iain is defined mainly by his absences. He spends a considerable amount of time away drinking his way around Monte Carlo, Paris, Cannes, Aspen... wherever, as long as there's a minibar and it's as far away from the office as possible.

Quite simply, Iain can't function without Lucy. She's his lifeline. But theirs is an unequal partnership and Lucy is always the loser.

"Lucy covers for him both on the financial side as well as on the rare occasions he does come into the office when he's drunk and he's trying to wee on the sofa or something! She's the one who has to sort him out. He's just an upper-class twit really, isn't he? I'd say that's a pretty accurate description of him," chuckles Mark.

"I did really enjoy playing Iain and it kind of appealed to me that he's never actually there in office and is off getting drunk and womanising instead.

"Most of the time he just checks in with Lucy by video phone, so filming for me was basically me on my lonesome speaking to the camera by myself. Not that I want any sympathy...," he sighs, with a grin.

"The other thing that attracted me to Iain is that he's posh and it was nice to get paid to act that. Because a lot of the time as an actor you just get paid to be similar to what you're like in real life.

"So, surprise surprise, I don't get offered posh bloke roles very often. I've done a few before, but I think people see you as one thing and forget you've done lots of other stuff as well, so it's nice to be able to show what I can do on this.

"Not that I'm complaining. Being typecast isn't so bad – at least it means you're working," he adds.

"But ultimately Iain's not someone I can relate to at all. I come from a council estate and I've got a work ethic. I don't really drink either so all in all he's the total opposite of me. You can't be selfish and lazy when you've got three kids.

"But I do think he'd be a good laugh if you met him and you'd definitely have a good night out with Iain."

Whilst he's never spent any time in an office himself, the Yorkshire-born actor suggests that office politics aren't that different to the clashes of egos on film sets.

"There can be rivalries, although I've never seen it as bad as the goings on at Hartmann Payne, but it depends on the job really.

"Personal Affairs had a lovely cast and everyone was really happy, but a lot of the time in casts you get someone who stirs it up and creates an atmosphere. There's usually one person where you think, 'Oh God, don't let me get me stuck with them!'

"So I don't think office life would suit me at all and I'd go mad after a while with all the internal politics that goes on. I hate all that. I'd probably just end up like Iain and be going off to get drunk all the time!"

Not that Mark needs to go looking for a change of career. He's one of the country's most in-demand comedic actors starring in the likes of Northern Lights and the acclaimed Hughie Green, Most Sincerely.

And these days it seems he can't even go to the loo without someone recognising him.

"I think the most bizarre place I've ever been recognised was in the toilet at Newquay Zoo," he remembers. "I came out the door and some idiot was stood there with a camera taking a picture, which was nice of him. I mean why would anyone want a picture of me walking out of the Gents? I'm just grateful that at least he wasn't photographing me with me bits out at the flippin' urinal!"