Louis Pasteur, the great scientist, said "chance favours the prepared mind", which is a posh way of saying 'do your homework', but it's an excellent piece of advice.

In the world of comedy, there's this: "If it's going badly, get off. If it's going well, get off". You can't argue with that either.

It's a weight problem isn't it; you can't wait for lunch.

Things inspiring me - good melody, a great bass line, a fabulous voice... by which I mean someone who sounds great, rather than does pyrotechnics... and people playing really musically. Music is endlessly fascinating.

Actually, when you're doing something you love, even when you're busy and it's hectic you don't feel the need to relax. I never used to take holidays and it would upset ex-wives and girlfriends, but working has me in a better mood than doing nothing.

We need a war every 10 years, so we can stay match fit in case the Germans try again.

Thanks to the internet, I buy lots of music, but thanks to my easily distracted nature, I forget about half of it!