I'm not James Bond. There's your headline! It's very clear to me that he's the furthest from my character that it's possible to be. It's somebody I play.

The idea of regretting not doing this seemed insane to me. Sitting in the corner at a bar at age 60, saying: 'I could've been Bond. Buy me a drink.' That's the saddest place I could be. At least now at 60 I can say: 'I was Bond. Now buy me a drink.'

When you read a novel, your own imagery is the most important. It's what makes reading such a wonderful thing.

I've always loved to dress up a bit and show off.

It’s not the job of an actor to judge your character.

A man is still likely to earn more money than a woman, even one doing the same job. You have a far better chance of entering political office or becoming a company director... Women are responsible for two thirds of the work done worldwide, yet earn only 10% of the total income and own 1% of the property... So, are we equals? Until the answer is yes, we must never stop asking.

I find it very easy playing Bond. I think he's hilarious. He gets himself into some extraordinarily funny situations.