Naturally, people's image is of a performer, but the reality of it is the writing for me has always been the most important thing and the most rewarding thing.

It's not the despair, Laura. I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand.

Laughter is a force for democracy.

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 And then, of course a few months later, he's been replaced by someone you haven't met.

All humour is critical, you know? You make stupid jokes. I mean, stupidity is an infirmity, isn't it?

It's too difficult to start right from scratch and try and be funny out of the blue.

A lot of humour is about just enjoying life and spontaneity and because you make a joke that puts somebody down - we're always teasing each other. It's with affection. It's nasty teasing that we - not all teasing; nasty teasing you cut out.