I prefer to remake flops. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was a remake of a flop, and The Quiet American is a remake of a flop.

I don't want to sound like Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, but I do think there should be some sort of national service for young men.

I'm looking for me to disappear, and the acting to disappear, and all you see is a real person.

When I was 6 my father went to fight in the war, so he was my big hero. I thought he was the greatest thing.

The old guys like me started in the theatre. I was in the theatre for nine years.

Anyone can write. But comedy, you've got to do some writing. You get one comedy script to every 20 dramas.

I regard myself as someone who is retired but who occasionally goes out to work. In fact, I'm offered so much good stuff that it's not so occasional.