He lights up the small screen each week as McDreamy, and is the sexy lead in the hot new film Made of Honour. Yet Patrick Dempsey, 42, is happy to leave the superstar tag at work and play doting dad. He hasn't been getting much sleep lately as his wife Jill, 42, daughter Tallulah, six, and one-year-old twin sons Darby and Sullivan are all sick with the same bug. But for Patrick, life couldn't get any better.

How does it feel to be the dad of three young kids?

I came home to projectile vomiting last week - the whole house smelled of vomit. But I really love fatherhood. There's something comforting about a house full of people and kids. It's a surprise because I usually like being alone, but I'm loving it. It's the one thing that keeps me sane in all the craziness.

How do you cope with the McDreamy nickname?

It started accidentally and became this big thing. Fans yell 'McDreamy' at me in the street - it's funny.

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How much pressure is there on you to stay looking good?

It's humbling when Eric Dane [Grey's Anatomy's McSteamy] takes his shirt off. I've been fasting since he joined the show, but luckily my nickname is McDreamy not McBuff! I work out, but I've lost the motivation to stay in that kind of shape.

How does Jill cope with being married to a sex symbol?

She teases me, but she's cool about it. She thinks it's funny.
As a hair and make-up artist, she's more likely to comment on my hair than the plot.

Last year you had twins, shot two movies and filmed Grey's Anatomy. How do you do it?

I have never been that tired in my entire life!

As a TV doctor, did you get special treatment when Jill gave birth to the twins?

A lot of the hospital staff work as advisers on the show, so we had more attention than usual.

You first found film fame in the 1980s as the gawky teen who got the girl in the end. How's success this time?

I started acting at 17. I had no real-life experience other than being on a film set. Success came quickly - and was taken away just as fast. Now I enjoy it more than ever because I realise how special it is. When you get older, you appreciate it.

Has your attitude changed?

I'm happier. I have a great wife, a daughter who's an angel and my sons. I like going home and having my life. I don't need to be a superstar. I'm just happy having a job. And it's fun to escape reality before I go back to change the diapers.