My life has been, I suppose, the most incredible series of highs and lows.

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.

My life has been, I suppose, the most incredible series of highs and lows.

Critics called me 'egregious' - I had to look that one up - and 'creepy', but now I don't read them, I weigh them.

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.

Coming from having absolutely nothing to having a few grand in the bank, it was a big culture leap. I think that's why I went off the rails a bit really, 'cause there was no training for it. They didn't do fame in schools.

Who needs drugs when you have Takeshi's Castle?