A woman with knowledge is something that frightens the status quo quite a lot.

When you're young and beautiful, you're paranoid and miserable.

I prefer the finesse of French humour. English humour is more scathing, more cruel, as illustrated by Monty Python and Little Britain.

When I came into the acting profession, it was quite hierarchical. You didn't sit at the same table as the leading actor. Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud... these were very, very intimidating and powerful people.

Women have got to stop being polite. If I ever had children, which I don't, the first thing I'd teach a girl of mine is the words 'f - off.'

I hate people eating on film. I hate it even worse on the radio, when people eat on the radio. I just can't stand it.

I resent having witnessed the survival of some very mediocre male actors and the professional demise of the very brilliant female ones.