In the modern media age we are rarely surprised by what we see. Whether it's on television or film or in the theatre, everything is so advertised, so trailed, that most entertainment is merely what you thought it was going to be like.

I don't think you should be too absolutist about what you play and what you don't play.

I have always worried about things more than I should.

We still have a tradition certainly in English television; it's faded a bit in the last five years, but we still have a tradition where the important thing is the quality and the challenging nature of the programming.

I'm not looking for anything other than an interesting role to play.

People think because I can make them laugh on the stage, I'll be able to make them laugh in person. That isn't the case at all. I am essentially a rather quiet, dull person who just happens to be a performer.

I'm not a collector. I don't like the toy cupboard syndrome that causes so many good cars to evaporate.