When I was 14 I told my mother I intended to be in the House of Commons in the morning, in court in the afternoon and on stage in the evening. She realised then a fantasist had been born.

I listen to Radio 4 all the time. I didn't go to university, so that's my further education.

I was a real art freak when I was a teenager.

I've become more confident as I have got older. I care less what others think.

I was lucky to learn early in life that you need money for food and shelter, but there's no ambition in having money in the bank for the sake of it!

Every time, at any point of my life, I think now is always the best age to be.

I use my awards as doorsteps. Others are in the office or in little cubbyholes in our library – they go between the books, because they actually look like arty pieces