Many years ago I sent an old, beloved jacket to a cleaner, the Sycamore Cleaners. It was a leather jacket covered in Guinness and blood and marmalade, one of those jobs... and it came back with a little note pinned to it, and on the note it said, 'It distresses us to return work which is not perfect.' So that will do for me. That can go on my tombstone.

Life turned out much better than I thought. I knew after a little while that I could act.

Films were never in my budget. Didn't occur to me till much later. I hoped for a long, good life, which I've had and I'm having as an actor. I didn't expect the rest.

I'm not working-class: I come from the criminal classes.

Acting has been described as farting about in disguise.

Always a bridesmaid never a bride my foot!

There is a legend. And to protest is daft.