I never wanted to be a literary writer. I wanted to be an entertainer. All I wanted was to give what a lot of writers had given me: a good time on a bad day.

religion's for those who believe in hell and a spiritual belief is for those who've been there.

That was the trouble with so many reality programmes on television - everyone wanted fame these days without necessarily working at anything to achieve it.

I never wanted to be a literary writer. I wanted to be an entertainer. All I wanted was to give what a lot of writers had given me: a good time on a bad day.

Just at the turn of the tide, nature held its breath - no bird sang, everything seemed to be waiting and waiting. And then, sure enough, as if someone had flicked a switch, everything started in motion again.

Clever plastic surgery can restore an appearance of youth, but nothing changes the expression of age and experience in the eyes.

the whistle of the old steam trains ... could conjure up visions of bleak distances with one solitary wail.