Russell Tovey is "really upset" at the thought of going back to work and leaving his dogs at home

He said: "For the dogs, this has been the best thing that’s ever happened.

"They’ve had dads on tap 24/7. I’m really upset for when we do go back to work properly because the dogs are just going to be like, ‘Sorry, what the f***? I thought you were here all day long now. They’re all just lying around in the sun at the moment – they're loving it."

During lockdown, the 39-year-old star and his partner, Steve Brockman, took the time to re-watch his 2006 movie ‘The History Boys’ and Russell found it a very moving experience.

Speaking to heat magazine, he added: "I was crying my f****** eyes out.

I was sobbing because there were moments where I suddenly realised, 'I get that now. I understand that feeling he’s describing there.'

"When we filmed it, I was in my early 20s and I didn’t understand what the characters were talking about, but now I get it because I have been through that pain, I know what that experience is like and I understand the references. It’s so multi-layered and beautiful.

"Steve was looking at me having this reaction and he was like, 'Are you alright?' But that play was such a huge moment and a huge part of my life for two years – it just all came flooding back. It's a f****** good film and watching it years later was really brilliant."