The misapprehension about me is that I am some loud, rampant maniac. I am actually very pensive and quiet.

My dad was opening fast bowler for Yorkshire's second team and I couldn't believe he could die. He wasn't going to get better for at least six months, so I left school early to become the family breadwinner.

I can't retire from life. I love life too much and I cannot wait to start the day.

I went to drama school but it was very hard to get work until I was made assistant stage manager.

I've always hated it when people overspend, are spoilt or throw their money away.

I had to leave school at 14 because my father got injured in the mines and I had to support my family. I was an undertakers assistant, then a plasterer, before doing my military service in the RAF. All the while, I was doing amateur dramatics and dreaming of getting a scholarship to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

My parents taught me honesty, truth, compassion, kindness and how to care for people. Also, they encouraged me to take risks, to boldly go. They taught me that the greatest danger in life is not taking the adventure.