Children's books are often seen as the poor relation of literature. But children are just as demanding as adult readers, if not more so. I should know. I'm a children's writer myself.

We sort of expect to see men in women's clothes. It's part of our culture. The key thing is, it has to be done quite badly.

When I was a child I devoured every book I could get my hands on. I loved losing myself in colourful and dramatic stories - and my absolute favourite was 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.' Everything about it electrified me, and when I re-read Roald Dahl's books as an adult it surprised me.

I was the kind of person who got bullied and loved the attention of it.

I don't have a lot to share with other men. My heart sinks when I get into a taxi and someone starts talking to me about football.

All human life can be found in an airport.

Writing for radio really focuses the mind, because you can't rely on thinking "Oh, just pull a funny face at the end of this sketch." You've got to try to work on the words.