Contrary to what the politicians and religious leaders would like us to believe, the world won't be made safer by creating barriers between people.

I've been lucky to have made a number of travel programmes with the BBC, the object being to see places off the beaten track. As a result, I've often had a guide who's been able to show me things that you wouldn't see with a tour group.

I've never particularly liked travelling with large groups or being told where to go by somebody else. I prefer to find out for myself.

Night falls over Machu Picchu to the sound of Abba's 'Dancing Queen'.

There is nothing better than playing a scene with John Cleese or Maggie Smith. It's electric. But I don't think I'm the sort of person who needs to have an outer ego in order to produce something. I realised that through the travel programmes.

I'd got over playing a character. People accepted who I was, and if I was incompetent and useless, they felt quite endeared to me.

Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life