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

I have to be careful what I eat before going onstage, to avoid an upset stomach.

I'm an appalling flyer. I get very tense, although I no longer weep uncontrollably for no reason - I just sob if there's turbulence.

I get so nervous before I go on stage that I can never eat very much, so I'm always completely starving afterwards and dying for a bowl of pasta.

Filming is quite exciting because every day is different, but it can involve long hours standing around in chilly locations. Theatre is a very different challenge because every night you're striving to keep it fresh, even though you might have been performing the same play for months.

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

Nobody can prepare you for the loss of a parent.