When I was little I always thought I was marked out, special, on the verge of something momentous. I used to tingle with anticipation.

There is one sure way of telling when politicians aren't telling the truth - their lips move.

I think you have to relax about aging. What else can you do?

So many roles for women demand that you make the audience fall in love with you or sympathise with you.

I don't take money seriously, so I can't keep any.

I don't think, until you've actually lost somebody you really love, that you can go through that door that allows you to be grown-up.

I do still get the odd fan letter about The Good Life, clearly written by somebody aged 18, who says: Will you send a photograph? And I think: Maybe it's kinder not to. I'm deeply into my 50s now.