Actress

I know some actresses who used to be older than me who are now younger than me - I don't know how they do it.

My mum taught me that redheads shouldn't wear pink, red or orange, but if you choose the right shade, such as a bright orange or a cherry red, it can look fabulous.

An actor's job is about putting across the author's intention; I don't think of myself on the same level as a creator.

I try to be classic without being mumsy.

People ask what the secret of a happy marriage is. If there is one, it's 'don't talk about it.'

There's also something of an illusion in that, you can perhaps record a TV thing one month and complete a book the next and then be in a play. Then, if they all come out at once, it looks as if you're actually juggling a million things.

We get a lot of overseas people wanting to order cakes.

I swim more or less every day.

I don't agree with the whole 'my mother's my friend' approach, because you're their mum and there has to be a difference between the generations.

Thank God I've never had the sort of intense fame that means you can't walk up the road. That sort of blazing stardom must be difficult to cope with and maintain; my career has just bubbled along happily.

Of all the things I do, acting is the thing that grabs most, but there's another level on which it strikes me as being a little silly. In the end you're dressing up and deciding to be somebody.

I was always very determined, as was my husband, that we wouldn't let any of our children act when they were young.

I think one wants lots of different lives.

As a child, I wanted to marry a farmer, but no doubt the reality would have been very different to the idyll in my head.

Acting has been very useful to me.

I've never particularly liked the idea of looking back; I'd rather look forward.

I do enjoy fashion - a lot of runway clothes are pretty unwearable, but if moderated, the trends can be worn by just about anyone.

My parents were not theatrical at all.

I'm not advocating we should all be back in the kitchen and cooking all the time, because life's too short and we've got more interesting things to do. But to rediscover the intense pleasure of making a cake and putting it down on the table is ridiculously satisfying, out of all proportion to the work.

Spreadable butter is wonderful for cake-making: it's much easier to cream than the block type and slightly lighter because it's blended with oil.