I think we all love to watch something we know is going to go catastrophically wrong - the old banana skin syndrome, which is particular to the British sense of humour.
— Sarah Alexander
I went to study in Spain for a year after school. It was either that or Russian, so I went for the easy option. I love Spain and go quite regularly. I've done a bit of Spanish theatre.
I used to do things like white-water rafting, trekking and horse-riding safaris. Recently, though, I had the humiliation of having to turn away from a helter skelter. It's a very strange thing when you hit a certain age.
The secret of comedy is enjoying it. If you're not laughing, it's not going to be funny.
I think the old classic Porsches are fantastic, with those lovely curved lines, but I don't like the modern ones at all.
I drink lots of water - being under hot lamps all day is very dehydrating.
Life has got better and better since the day I left school. I felt like I wasn't comfortable in my own skin.
I'd like to see 'French and Saunders' back. They were hugely influential for me. They make me laugh so much; even their breathing makes me laugh.
I often think you need a lot of courage to be in the acting business. The job itself can be incredibly challenging for various reasons. Sometimes it's impossible and requires sheer guts.
My father was a television director and producer, working on documentaries and current affairs programmes including 'Panorama,' and I didn't think he'd find acting a sensible option. But as soon as I'd finished my A-levels, I got on a train to Edinburgh, and that was it.
I want to go to Denmark and Scandinavia. We've been inundated with their telly recently, and I've never been to any of those countries. I really want to get to know the people. I quite fancy living there for a bit if I could take a month off. They just seem like upfront, friendly folk.
We're so immersed in ourselves at home, but when you're travelling, it's important to be open.
I'm a believer in love - it's all good as far as I'm concerned. Every size, age - whatever.
The older Mercedes is absolutely beautiful. It's got that lovely purring feeling as the engine ticks over, which you just don't get in a modern car.
People in comedy are just gorgeous, just the best human beings. They are naturally interested in other people and in playing something other than themselves.
I do not understand the pleasure of being so famous. I just don't get it. I love acting and doing the work. That's what it's all about for me.
I have a tendency to overempathize with people, which gets me into tricky situations. I can get sucked in and feel like I need to get involved, which is sometimes helpful and sometimes not. It's better to have more distance.
I really didn't enjoy myself at secondary school, but the one thing I did leave with was eight fantastic, beautiful, brilliant, amazing girlfriends.
Having started in theatre, for a long time I wanted to be a classical actress. But I've always loved making people laugh - at school, I was quite mischievous, and bit by bit, I found myself working more and more in comedy.
I love a psychological thriller, particularly ones that are written by women. I've just finished 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which was so creepy and never failed to surprise me, particularly the end.
I had my fortune told once at the Great Wall of China. A withered old lady told my fortune - but it was probably one of these things that are set up to rip off tourists. She told me a couple of vague things that came true, but she was probably just lucky. I would never do it again.
When my kids were in the school play for the first time, I decided I had to make the costumes from scratch and bought material, wadding, dyed T-shirts, and purple tights so I could say I made the octopus costume myself.
I burn a lot of energy when I'm filming, so I eat a mountain of chicken, broccoli, potatoes and salad, and if I'm absolutely exhausted, I'll have a chocolate bar, too.
The appeal of comedy is that you're not going to look your best. Dressing up or dressing down is something I love and feel very comfortable doing. I feel at my least comfortable when I have to look at my best.
I'm too frightened to go on 'Celebrity Mastermind.' You really are shown up. Just you and a chair - there's no way out.
I have the most dreadfully appalling eyesight. I'm really shortsighted and have been since I was about five. I was the speccy girl with the pink National Health glasses. That's my physical vulnerability, and I wish I could put it right, but I can't - even with surgery.
It's quite rare to be in something that you would love to watch as well.
