Nobody in my family is in the show business, and none of my friends were. I went to a very academic school that actually - when I got to the point of wanting to pursue acting, they just had no idea how to do that, because all of their contacts were very academic.

Being short works for me.

Whether people watch Doctor Who or not over here, everybody knows about it. It's a British icon, it's so part of the nation.

My own style is one of not much effort.

I've had journalists beg me to please say something negative about my estate.

I love hotels for their solitude and comfort, but I believe a seedy one can have as much promise as a plush one.

I know it's really square but I'm one of those people who piles on the factor 50 as soon as I'm outside.