The thing that amazes me about Robert Carlyle is his versatility. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him put in a bad performance, even if the movie hasn’t been the best. Trainspotting was the first film I saw him in.

He was very scary as Begbie, but he also had great comic timing. My favourite bit is when he’s in the pub sitting at a table full of drinks and one of them spills. You can see by the reactions of the other characters that they are just waiting for Begbie to explode — and then the camera pans in on his face and he’s wearing this wild expression.

I actually remember thinking “Oh no, what’s going to happen next?” Begbie launches himself at one guy, pulls out a knife and accidentally stabs another and then orders Ewan McGregor’s character to get him a smoke — all in one fluid scene of great authority. Then he sits back down and carries on as if nothing has happened. That’s the mark of a great villain — someone who can appear quietly ferocious and composed at the same time.

There are plenty of actors who are capable of playing themselves really well, but it takes a new level of ability to play various characters. Carlyle is very good with accents, and he changes himself physically depending on the role. He isn’t afraid to play characters from different backgrounds and that’s brave for any actor — many are just comfortable to fall into the familiar.

I recently saw him in Hitler: The Rise to Evil and it was obvious he had been studying old footage of Hitler because he really nailed the mannerisms and passion that Hitler used as an orator. It takes a certain amount of talent to be able to play a hard character who you also feel sympathy with, like Jimmy in Once Upon a Time in the Midlands. And he’s just as good in lighter, softer roles, as in The Full Monty. He’s an actor I’d love to work with.

I’m sure I’d learn a hell of a lot about how to convey emotion and how to get to grips with a really difficult character. He’s been doing that his whole career.

Blake Harrison stars in The Inbetweeners, currently showing on Channel 4 and available to buy on DVD

Read more Scottish lifestyle stories

Explore Film

• Film Reviews

• Trailers

• DVD

• London Film Festival

Editor's choice

• The 100 Best Films of the Decade
• 70 facts you didn't know about Marvel
• The 50 Biggest Movies Of 2010