It's one of the oldest theatrical adages: never work with children or animals.

One of my earliest memories is of being about three and a half, climbing through the legs of a man who I didn't know was the famous actor, Patrick Magee.

When women's parts are being written, they are more and more for under 30s who are nubile and beautiful. Actresses over 40 are finding very little happening.

If you put people up on pedestals, there's only one way for them to go and that is down.

I think one of the most important things I can give my children is the right to be themselves.

Inside my heart, there's a 12-year-old girl who has always wanted to be Ginger Rogers.

My father Philip was an actor and appeared in everything from 'The Onedin Line' to 'Hedda Gabler' with Dame Diana Rigg.