But if you know that something has been really vicious, you don't read it, you don't let it into your head. What's damaging is when sentences go through your head and you burn with the injustice of it.

I took a fortnight off. But I'm not a great believer in breaks. I don't want to be rattling around inside my own head. I did feel I was spiralling into a Kathy Burke character and tried going out, but I prefer it here. Filming keeps me busy. It absorbs me.

I was a quiet teenager, introverted, full of angst.

In fact I am quite snappy and irritable, and I don't know if I'd like to make myself worse in that respect.

I do think awful things may happen at any moment, so while they are not happening, you may as well be pleased.

Anyway, what makes people look youthful is the quality of their skin and I don't think you can change that.

I know the crew so well, so I forget I'm being filmed. It's like cooking with a friend in the kitchen - you're talking, as you do, and maybe you're telling her about this wonderful way to prepare lamb chops - it's more natural, more honest.