I couldn't imagine a home without animals..

But I didn't really enjoy my secondary education that much, probably because I am a very physical person and don't enjoy sitting at a desk all day. I….

I think you know what you're up against when you take on a piece that you know is going to involve dragging up a lot emotions - you can end up being ….

I'd been gearing up to working in theatre since coming out of drama school, but it was an exciting time for TV drama - it was the birth of Channel 4,….

Being an actor is an extension of telling a story and I loved story telling as a child..

I have nothing against people having work done, it is when I hear tale of girls of 16 queuing up to get bigger breasts, that is when I despair..

No, I always wanted to be an actress..

It would show hugely if I didn't want to be somewhere. Doing what you want to do can only generate good energy..

I always start from scratch with a character - they're never based on anyone else. You get ideas of what people look like, and I'm a great people wat….

I'm becoming more squeamish. I didn't use to be - nine years of 'Silent Witness' prepared me for most things one will have the misfortune to see in l….

I could suddenly see the pressures all around; these endless magazines and cheap reality TV programmes poking at women, humiliating us for every flaw….

I was a complete tomboy. I loved wandering out in storms or walking on the beaches in the dark. It was a very free upbringing, and I'm grateful to my….

I still love coming into work everyday after so many years working as an actress. I've been working more or less continuously and I find I have to re….

Whatever I'm doing, I try to give it everything..

I have been acting for 32 years now and I feel so lucky to be able to have done exactly what I wanted to do..

I have sleepless nights before press days..

It always interests me how obsessed people are about age..

I think some people think that being on television makes you a sitting duck, but you have the right to remain private..

I like to think I'm a listener, and I'm fascinated by observing people - I suppose you just lock that in..

I was on holiday recently and I came home to find that one of the papers here had 'bikini'd' me on the beach. I was wearing a grossly unflattering co….

If I want to run around a field when I'm 70, I would like to have that option..