And as a writer, your self-worth is literally based on the last thing you wrote.

People think stage school is a little star factory but the truth is kids like me learned about being in a team situation and going out to work earlier than a lot of kids did. I don't know anyone from drama school who's now sitting on their arse doing nothing.

When I was a little kid it was my dream to go to drama school, but it was never something I thought would happen to me. I was a Jewish girl from North London and things like that don't happen to Jewish girls from North London called Amy Winehouse.

I told Missy [Elliot] I couldn't believe how much she has done as a woman in a male-led arena and that she's an inspiration to me. When I got into the lift back to my room to get changed and go home, I broke down in tears.

I listen to music that is of our time and I just get angry.

I don't think your ability to fight has anything to do with how big you are. It's to do with how much anger is in you.

I had a real stage school voice and I could do loud things, but it's not about being loud, it's about sensitivity and subtlety in music. You can do so much more with a quiet voice than with a belter.