I adored my birth father and constantly worried that I was being disloyal to him and his schoolteacher roots if I spent too much time performing and enjoying it.

You never feel lonely if you're writing, because you're living with all these characters in your head.

Because of the Thames I have always loved inland waterways - water in general, water sounds - there's music in water. Brooks babbling, fountains splashing. Weirs, waterfalls; tumbling, gushing.

Hopefully, I brought people a certain joy. That will be a wonderful legacy.

Don't you get a swollen head. There's always someone who could come and do what you do, maybe even better, so be grateful and work hard.

I'm not singing anymore; that is why I am so pleased to be writing. My daughter said, "You just found a different way of using your voice."

Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it.