I've made great friends through acting. When I'm with Victoria Wood and Julie Walters, we have grand fun. We can make each other howl with laughter because we know each other so well.

A 'naughty pickle' is how I'd best describe myself. I think fun and laughter is the whole point of life.

There are actresses who've had expensive work done and look great, so I'm not holier-than-thou about it. But it wouldn't be for me, perhaps because I've already been in hospital and wouldn't want to volunteer myself for it again.

I'm a bit of a fraud, really, as I didn't study acting at a drama school.

While other girls swooned over The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, I worshipped Rudolf Nureyev and Isadora Duncan.

I watch people from the top of buses who don't know they're being watched. It's quite fascinating.