We started filming in 1993 which was only four years after the fall of communism. The difference in Budapest over the last five years has been remarkable.

It's too hard a life for me. I could only do it - check out in that sense - if I checked out somewhere that was luxurious and within hailing distance of civilization.

I think actors always retain one foot in the cradle. We're switched on to our youth, to our childhood. We have to be because we're in the business of transferring emotions to other people.

I thought it was getting better and better, because the production values were increasing each time we did it.

It was doing very well; it was doing particularly well outside of England. It was a very big seller for Carlton Television. But it was getting more and more expensive to do.

I've been a professional actor now for 38 years. A long time. And it's wonderful to earn your living doing something that you love. To think people actually give you money for it!

He was living in an age much more dangerous, more painful, much more on the edge than our own particular age.