But I didn't really enjoy my secondary education that much, probably because I am a very physical person and don't enjoy sitting at a desk all day. I just dragged myself through GCSE and A Levels, so it suited me very much to go on to drama school, which was very active.

I think some people think that being on television makes you a sitting duck, but you have the right to remain private.

No, I always wanted to be an actress.

It always interests me how obsessed people are about age.

I'm becoming more squeamish. I didn't use to be - nine years of 'Silent Witness' prepared me for most things one will have the misfortune to see in life. Before, I'd be wading up to my neck in gore, but now I tend to look away.

I have been acting for 32 years now and I feel so lucky to be able to have done exactly what I wanted to do.

I like to think I'm a listener, and I'm fascinated by observing people - I suppose you just lock that in.