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

There is no normality in life.

It took me so many years to move out. I'm definitely a bit of a Peter Pan, reluctant to grow up. It all seemed really nice at home-why change it? Part of me would prefer not to have any responsibility whatsoever.

I think my mouth just opens and I spontaneously say things that occur to me.

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

I drink a lot of Diet Coke and belch. I've been known to use the ''f'' word.

I loved doing all those costume dramas. I didn't think, 'Ooh I've got to avoid being typecast' - you can't ever be dictated to by what other people think. I just do things because I fancy the parts and the directors.