I knew Richard E. Grant, and I went to him and said "Would you like to [play Kafka in the film]?" and he said yeah, and then suddenly I had all these people who were happy to come along. We got a little bit of money from Scottish Screen to pay for it. I got so many favors because I knew people in the business. I was in a remarkably good position. I got so many favors from people. I got the Monty Python technical people.

I haven't played Doctor Who since I was 9 on the playground.

A little showbiz never hurt anyone.

I think that people like the idea that fans are sort of slightly eccentric and strange, but generally I've just found them very creative and warm and cheerful.

It's weathered many a storm, but the British film industry is, thankfully, still afloat.

Real heroes are all around us and uncelebrated.

A girl once came to my beery flat in Kensal Green, opened the blinds and cooked me breakfast. I married her.