It's different when you're an actor and playing a part, but when it's just you, you feel immensely vulnerable have strangers prodding and prying.

Journalists are always calling my features Edwardian or Victorian, whatever that means. I am small, and people were smaller in those times. I'm pale and sickly-looking. I look fragile-like a doll. But sometimes I just wish I had less of a particular look, one that was more versatile.

Multitasking? I can't even do two things at once. I can't even do one thing at once.

The problems come when your personal life and relationships come under scrutiny in the press and often very uncomplimentary things are printed about you.

I look completely like my mum. She's very foreign, very Jewish.

When you write for very young children what they want is something familiar and safe and stereotyped.

I think I've still got a bit of a sado-masochistic streak in me, because if I'm not going to be restricted by corsets and covered in lace, then I still wind up wearing an ape-mask over my face. I do wonder how I get myself in these situations!