The one thing I remember about Christmas was that my father used to take me out in a boat about ten miles offshore on Christmas Day, and I used to have to swim back. Extraordinary. It was a ritual. Mind you, that wasn't the hard part. The difficult bit was getting out of the sack.

If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.

What is absurd is not the teachings of the founders of religion, it's what followers subsequently make of it.

My compulsion to always be working has become less strong and my current business is purely down to this enormous alimony. If I wasn't doing this I'd be making documentaries about wildlife and other subjects that interest me.

England is a fairly envious little country and it's embodied in the press. They don't like anyone being more distinguished than they are.

I can certainly see that you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here wouldn't know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret.

Wine is wonderful stuff. But so many people are put off by the snobbery of it.