Sixty felt like a big landmark. Not in a dreadful sense, but none of the other birthdays have bothered me. It's got labels on it - OAP, retirement - and I just wanted to take stock. I wanted to be in my greenhouse at home and at least give myself the opportunity of not working again.

Debate is so much better than denial.

It's very strong after the birth. It's extraordinary. You can't watch anything to do with kids being harmed.

There were people asking 'Can women be funny?' People still ask that. It's like asking: 'Can women breathe in and out?'

It seems that when you get to a certain age you almost give yourself permission to misbehave and say what you think. People allow it, with very old people.

I'd like to think there'll be too much of real life going on for me to want to do much acting.

The characters do have a life of their own; it's weird.