I try to be classic without being mumsy.

My mum taught me that redheads shouldn't wear pink, red or orange, but if you choose the right shade, such as a bright orange or a cherry red, it can look fabulous.

I think all good writing is a struggle. To write as well as you feel you can has to be a struggle, almost by definition, because you could always improve.

I was always very determined, as was my husband, that we wouldn't let any of our children act when they were young.

Of all the things I do, acting is the thing that grabs most, but there's another level on which it strikes me as being a little silly. In the end you're dressing up and deciding to be somebody.

The rehearsal time is almost my favourite part of being an actress, particularly if you're working on a play that hasn't been done before.

I swim more or less every day.