Pat Phoenix kept that amazing sassy look. I always wonder, was that because she was thrilled with that look, and thought it looked marvellous, or was it because she was too scared to change it? It's a double thing. Security and insecurity.

I was never a pretty girl, so I wasn't the one to get the boy. I used to cast myself as a good sport. Sometimes I wonder if I do that too much with roles I play, because if I'm absolutely truthful, I quite like being the best friend, or the supporting role, and actually I ought to gear-change and make myself the leading role.

I watch people from the top of buses who don't know they're being watched. It's quite fascinating.

A 'naughty pickle' is how I'd best describe myself. I think fun and laughter is the whole point of life.

I have a horror of boring someone or, worse still, of someone boring me. I said to my mother when I was seven, 'But, Mums, if it was only my husband and me in the house together, what would we talk about?' I've never wanted to answer my own question, and doubt I'll bother now.

I love Monet - I've nicknamed him King Blob. When you go up to the painting, it's a series of blobs - amazing.

I'm a bit of a fraud, really, as I didn't study acting at a drama school.