I've always had this sneaking suspicion that I get a kick out of the insecurity.

I adore acting; it's in my blood - quite literally - but I can honestly say the most creative thing in the world for me is being a mother.

If I pop off and do something drastic, everyone's going to realise because they know I'm 50. Anyway, middle-aged women are sensational.

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

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

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'm very shocked when I look at television and I see such an aggressive youth and image obsession in the representation of women on our screens.