I've read about eight or ten of the original novels, and one of them is where Maigret's in bed for the entire story! His wife is running around and solving the case!

In TV, and in particular in commercials, you don't really need to explain very much at all - you just say he's a spy and he's a little bit theatrical and overblown and smug and he's not very good at his job.

The older you get, the more you realise how happenstance... has helped to determine your path through life.

The character [Maigret] is bound to change and develop, and I wouldn't like to claim that we are perfectly formed straight out of the box. I think it's what I'd call an 'optimistic start'. As you know, for me, no glass is anything other than half empty, so I apologise for my reticence in terms of promoting this programme.

But generally speaking, I tend to be quiet and introspective.

I think in many ways Johnny English is a more believable character.

I mean I can do it when I'm very relaxed, and with good friends, then I think I can be amusing.