As a child, I always remember our home, which was a flat just on the Barnes side of Hammersmith Bridge in London, buzzing with actors such as Patrick McGee and Peter Bowles. We were a family who were always on the go.

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

Nobody can prepare you for the loss of a parent.

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

I grew up without the rose-tinted look at the profession many of my friends had, but I've been very lucky playing major roles in 'An Ideal Husband', 'Arcadia' and 'The Memory of Water'.

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.

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