I CYCLED 2,000km (1,240 miles) through Western Australia from Perth, around the coast and across the Nullarbor Plain to raise money for the children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent. It took me 20 days. I had never done anything like that before in my life. I still have saddle sores.

I spent almost the entire journey on my own because everyone else was lifelong cyclists whereas I'm two stone overweight. I called my wife Angela from the Nullarbor Plain and we were both in tears because we were missing each other so much.

Afterwards I stopped for a moment to clear my head. It was completely silent with not a car for miles. I started to think about the children I was cycling to raise money for. Whatever I had gone through was nothing compared to what they face. We all moan about so many things in life and often forget that happiness is a choice.

Since then I have changed my outlook. Earning money used to be one of the highest priorities in my life. Now it is so low down. It is about living life and spending as much time as I can with my wife and three sons.

We bought land near Penicuik, Midlothian, in 2005 and developed Leadburn Manor Fly Fishing Centre. We put every penny we had into it. Two years ago, just before Christmas, the bank more than doubled our mortgage. We couldn't afford the payments and had to go bankrupt. Looking back now I feel it was a blessing. It opened my eyes.

Acting is something I stumbled into 13 years ago. My wife and I had tried IVF and were delighted when she got pregnant, but sadly she had a miscarriage. For something to take our mind off things we went along to the Edinburgh theatre workshop and got involved in a community play. I had never been on stage in my life. But I landed the lead male role.

From there is has been like a carpet that has been rolling out in front of me. The old saying is that what is for you, will not go by you. I firmly believe that.

Among my early roles was Mark the quizmaster in Still Game in what was voted one of the funniest episodes. I have had a part in Taggart, played a couple of different characters in River City and was probably one of the most violent guys ever in The Bill. I also played Torin the blacksmith in Outlander.

Landing a part in Guardians of the Galaxy is about as good as it gets. I was on set for three weeks and it was a fantastic experience. My role was to kidnap Zoe Saldana's green goddess Gamora and attempt to kill her. Drax the Destroyer comes in and stops us. Gamora then kicks my ass and I get knocked out.

I recently wrote and directed a comedy called The Therapy Room with Jackie McNamara, the former Dundee United manager. Jackie recognised me from Still Game when we met in a Costco car park and he asked if I would be interested in working together. We are planning to release that online soon. It is really funny. Gary Lewis plays a fantastic role in it.

My current project is a film called Freedom for a Day, a political drama centred around the Scottish independence referendum last year. We launched a crowdfunding campaign last week and hope to start filming next summer.

It will have a budget of just over £1 million and the cast includes Marianna Palka, Vivien Taylor and Paul Brannigan. I have two big names who have said they will be involved but I have to keep that quiet for the time being. Another global name is going to do a scene because he feels so passionate about the topic.

I have written and directed it. I'm really proud of it and have had some fantastic feedback so far. With Freedom for a Day we are hoping to get as much Scottish talent on board as possible. We want this to be the Gregory's Girl for this generation.

Visit justgiving.com/fran-gilhooley and freedomforadaymovie.com