British fans are exceptional, but the American fans are something else. Some of them fly 500 miles to stand in line for three hours, just to meet me, then when they do they collapse.

I have a stepladder. It's a very nice stepladder but it's sad that I never knew my real ladder.

The inventory process and stepping back in your life can sometimes be a very dark process. But it also can be extremely funny and surprising.

I've got wealth and fame but I haven't changed my roots.

It's not supposed to be easy, if it's easy, it's no good, that's the way I look at it.

There was never any career plan. When 'Red Dwarf' started I thought we were doing a curious little sitcom on BBC2, I didn't think I was becoming an actor. I didn't see that 21 years later I'd still be talking about it, let alone filming a new one. For me everything's always been an accident.

I've been very lucky, this is my 30th year on TV.