We all operate in two contrasting modes, which might be called open and closed. The open mode is more relaxed, more receptive, more exploratory, more democratic, more playful and more humorous. The closed mode is the tighter, more rigid, more hierarchical, more tunnel-visioned. Most people, unfortunately spend most of their time in the closed mode.

You go in and meet the head of BBC One and get an assurance about not dumbing down. And then, of course a few months later, he's been replaced by someone you haven't met.

What I've always wanted to do is be as funny as possible.

And now for something completely different...

You don't have to be the Dalai Lama to tell people that life's about change.

But then acting is all about faking. We're all very good at faking things that we have no competence with.

I don't want to have to start being unselfish again. The great thing about being on your own is you do what you damned well like.