Despotism isn't nearly as bad as it's cracked up to be.

I dont understand boys - just ask my husband.

My parents' generation's benchmark was simple: Fat Equals Bad.

My theory is that one needs to be loved completely, unconditionally, and unfettered by parental disapproval, if one is to get happily through life which, after all, presents its own hurdles.

As I was growing up, it was made clear that the fat me wasn't welcome, that a thin person was expected and awaited, and impatiently so.

My dad was a diplomat and after living in America, where I was born, he was posted to Cairo.

As an actress and comedienne, I'm a huge fan of he theatre and the Tricycle in Kilburn is my favourite in London. I dragged my kids to a performance of 'Twelfth Night' there, where they handed out pizza. Who knew that all it takes to get children interested in Shakespeare is a snack?