Books were my window on the world. Growing up at the Elephant and Castle, which was very rough, my paradise was the library.

One of the great things with comedy is that there's no such thing as a mediocre comedy; it's either uproarious or crap. That's the problem.

I just try to play more and more difficult roles.

I had been nine years in the theatre and hadn't had massive success. My only thing was I wanted to be an actor and I didn't care when, where, or how much for.

Just because I have made a point of never losing my accent it doesn't mean I'm an eel-and-pie yob.

I've made the transition from star to character actor and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

I learned about life before I went into the theater, which is why I've been so happy. I was a soldier.