I'm really a strong advocate of ageing because the messages that the media and advertising give to women infuriate me: ie that it's a bad thing to get old.

If you were to do a line-up of past suitors, it's definitely a very eclectic group, is all I'll say.

I'm half-Welsh, half-Russian. My maternal grandmother is Russian. I've very much a mongrel, which is good in a way because it makes me quite a blank canvas.

I don't want to be famous. I like to be able to sit in a cafe and watch the world go by and observe people.

The culture of celebrity has become insane. It's all based on fantasy, and I find it creepy and disturbing.

I've chosen not to talk about my really private life to the press - I've never invited a huge amount of attention.

I know so many acting careers that are deliberately kickstarted by a publicist placing a bit of rubbish in a newspaper. And I don't want that. If someone recognises me, I want it to be because they've seen me in something, not because they have seen me at something.