Pattycake, pattycake, baker's man; good morning, madam, I'm a psychiatrist

Having little money to spend was a valuable learning experience. My schooling also shaped my work ethic because while other children were listening to the Goons, I was studying, which enabled me to go to Cambridge University.

The idea that we evolved with these thoughts is actually very fascinating - to me.

John Cleese once told me he'd do anything for money. So I offered him a pound to shut up, and he took it.

I always have a feeling you should move the playing field and the minute you know what you're doing, you're wrong. Therefore, I wanted us not to try to follow Spamalot immediately, but to do something different. This is perfect because it uses all the same skills, like story telling and lyric writing and music writing, but it's presenting it in a different form. And of course it gives me and John a nice chance to perform and show off which is also fun.

When, in 1966, I progressed to The Frost Report, I was paid ten guineas a minute. I was guaranteed three minutes a week, so this was good money.

I listen to the audience and try and bounce with them. All audiences are different. But they are all homo sapiens.