I headed out to have a breather at the stage door, dressed in my tramp costume. I had my bowler hat between my feet and there were passers-by, and one of them turned back and said, 'Do you need help, brother?' And $1 fell into my hat!

Personally, coming out was one of the most important things I've ever done, lifting from my shoulders the millstone of lies that I hadn't even realized I was carrying.

I think I'm a bit gruffer than I used to be, and I'm certainly older.

When you're on stage with an audience, the director's nowhere to be seen. He's onto the next job.

I tend to discourage people from calling me 'Sir Ian,' because I don't like being separated out from the rest of the population. Of course, it can be useful if you're writing an official letter, like trying to get a visa or something passed through Parliament. They're impressed by these things.

The audience's expectations are ever-present.

Every anti-gay remark from the Church gives the thug a license to be cruel.