It was a very odd household, because the grandmothers were so different. Both of them had their own pianos. So it would be duelling pianos by grandmothers.

The most surprising thing for my mother and father was when I was actually earning more money than them by the time I was about 18. They thought I was going to be the ne'er do well, who they'd have to keep worrying about.

I learnt the theory of movement, which I still teach sometimes. I was very, very ambitious to learn a skill.

Suddenly I had a contract and I was earning lots of money.

I don't think in my family anyone looked after anyone. It didn't matter how old they were.

Blank House was exactly a nice empty sheet where nothing was accountable because you were so naughty that you were in Blank House.

I was often very, incredibly naughty, and if I didn't come home at tea time I used to be sent to bed without any dinner. But people used to bring me things: I was better fed in bed.