Judi Dench and Ian McKellen taught me how to work hard and respect the theatre.

Judi Dench and Ian McKellen taught me how to work hard and respect the theatre.

So many stars lose their way, and with success become more neurotic, not less so.

I maintain the rather old-fashioned view that this is my work and it's in the public arena, but that doesn't entitle everyone to know what happened at home before coming here.

When I was starting out, young actresses had the studio system to protect them. Now you have a host of sharks, from your agent to your publicist to your lawyer.

I don't really have an image of myself. Now, is that true? Well, maybe I do and it's different, which is why I get shocked when I see how other people experience me. I see myself primarily in a domestic setting.

I've always kept fit but I've been doing gym and yoga and will be throwing my stilettoes away for a while!