But in the UK, I've given up any hope of being considered a director.

I never met Barbara Cartland. But now that I'm working on her life, I wish I had. I think there was a lot of pathos in it and I'm intrigued by her.

The funny thing is, London is an incredibly interesting city. It's very sexy and it's very different, with the Thames winding through it like a snake.

How do we get a pantomime cow on set. Jeez, the rigours of satire.

It's a pragmatist's business, comedy. Start off with good intentions and references to the Pompidou Centre and you end up with boiled sweets and a pantomime cow.

But in the UK, I've given up any hope of being considered a director.

I don't think London has been given enough credit in a lot of the movies that we make here.