When you've been going on about something for a while, it is always satisfying to discover that other people agree with you.

The degree of notoriety I have is fine and easy. There's nothing hysterical about it.

I did actually sit down with a blank sheet of paper once. I think the phone rang and that was the end of my literary career.

With stage, you feel completely like you're just in a bubble. I love not being able to see anything. I love coming out and I can't see anything because the lights are so bright and it's pitch black. That's ideal for me, that's when I have the best time.

It can't be overstated how wonderful it is not to have to audition any more. Any actor will tell you, it's like Christmas.

I used to joke that one of the reasons there was a lack of classical work on my CV was because I couldn't operate in those kinds of trousers. Which is a joke, but it's actually also true - if I want to appear in public I want to look my best. If I'm onstage I like to do contemporary work, largely because of the trousers, because of the clothes. I like a decent, what we used to call a lounge suit. Then I can start to motor.

I wanted to be a journalist, I thought it was glamorous and that I'd meet beautiful women in the rain.