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Ian McShane has told The Big Issue how he benefitted in his teenage years from socialist rule but was glad to escape his home town.

In this weeks Big Issue, the veteran actor also talks candidly about his drinking problems, and the moment that changed his life.

I got on with everyone when I was 16, says McShane. Atschool there were all these groups you had the teddy boys, the swots. But I got on with them all. Im glad I got the f**k out of Manchester but you never escape your childhood.

Im glad I left, but you never escape your childhood

I love going back, he continues. I still see my oldest friends. And the odd ex-girlfriend I had when I was 16, which all seems very sweet now I look back on it.

I had a happy life there. I had the best of the NHS and free further education I was brought up in the first 15 years of socialist rule.

In this weeks Letter to My Younger Self, the Lovejoy star currently appearing in Jawbone and American Gods says that he recognisedthe significance of meeting his wife for the first time.

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As soon as I saw her, 38 years ago, I thought, Aaah shit, Im in trouble,' he says.I wasnt looking for a long-term relationship so I did just go, oh Christ. You cant explain it. Love is what it is. If Id waited a moment longer I might have walked the other way.

If I could go back to any time in my life it would be just a week after we met. I was in LAX airport, leaving to go to Britain, thinking Ah, great girl, Ill be seeing her again in two weeks. And she suddenly turned up to say goodbye. I was sitting having a beer and she came up and said, Hello darling, I love you. I think thats one of my happiest memories.

Read more from Ian McShane on his alcoholismand relationship with his father inthis weeks Big Issue, on sale now

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Ian McShane: I had free further education under socialism - Big Issue