I'd probably want to teach at university, because children would drive me insane. I suspect it would be English literature, Shakespeare and so forth. I've always been deeply, deeply in love with that kind of thing.

I was born Mary Patterson, but then I married and naturally took my husband's name, so now I'm Neil Patterson.

Humanism inspires a lot of enthusiasm for everyday life and urges people to be better to one another, to work towards a better future and a common good. If I believed there was an afterlife I would have so much less motive for filling this life with every experience that is offered up to me.

Many people would no more think of entering journalism than the sewage business - which at least does us all some good.

I don't watch television, I think it destroys the art of talking about oneself.

Life, that can shower you with so much splendour, is unremittingly cruel to those who have given up.

My general view is that best actor best suited to role should get the job. Obviously when it comes to colour and issues of ethnicity the choice is clear. But I do not believe you have to be transgender or have undergone sex reassignment surgery to be able play a character who has.Acting is acting after all.