For years, I never knowingly went on a holiday. When I travelled, it was for work. Now I am a huge advocate, particularly to places which have amazing wildlife, such as Antarctica, India and Patagonia.

If I don't believe in a role, I can't pull it off.

Insecurity, commonly regarded as a weakness in normal people, is the basic tool of the actor's trade.

I'm not someone who can lie on a beach and do nothing. I am not sure what you are supposed to do, so I get bored. I prefer to have a purpose, such as going to Alaska to see orca whales.

My phrase has always been that I am looking for the versatility of theatre in film. I think I have been quite lucky in that so far.

It's the idea that when you say 'actress', people think of an airy, floaty, no-brain person, which of course you can't be if you are an actor. It is an unfortunate word, which is why, for a time, I hung on to 'actor', because it just seemed more workmanlike, you know, like you say 'woman doctor' not 'doctoress'.

And there's no way I'm going to do Dame Edna.