I mean, even my dressing room at the studio has candles and cushions and cashmere rugs and things.

The easiest way to convince my kids that they don't really need something is to get it for them.

When I was at school, I was terrible at algebra and arithmetic, but I was always the best at English and literature. And acting, of course.

And the truth is I've always taken very good care of my skin, and always, always worn make-up.

The cosmetics industry has much to answer for. It's a multi-million- pound confidence trick based on giving women endless hope, courtesy of overpriced little pots.

From the age of 17 I was a pin-up girl. I did it for 30 years and, quite frankly, it gets a bit boring.

I have the absolute utmost respect for soap opera actors now. They work harder than any actor I know in any other medium. And they don't get very much approbation for it.