Alan Bennett and Judi Dench are amazingly talented people who don't let you down when you meet them.

Once I was on a plane and a woman said to me, 'Now, what's the matter with my tomatoes?' And I said, 'Well, it's a bit difficult to see from here.' She took offence and said, 'I was only trying to be friendly.'

I get nice letters, but really I have no idea. I just try to enthuse people. You've been married for 31 years.

I'm a big fan of the Queen. She carries herself well, as does the Prince of Wales, despite getting lots of stick.

Georgian England, to see those wonderful houses being built. And the clothes were interesting too, although I wouldn't want to wear a wig. It's also the most beautiful period of English landscape gardening. They had famous gardeners like Capability Brown.

I love Paris for its wide boulevards and cafes, and Rome for the ancient history, as seen at the Forum.

Gardening is, apart from having children, the most rewarding thing in life