Because I was a shy and awkward child, I used humour to deflect attention. It was a controlling mechanism. Because I could use it to control my image.

I've realised I need a gnawing, nagging, anxious doubt when I wake at 4 A.M.

I realised that if you get yourself labeled as the funny one, people don't look any further. I've used that as I've got older. It's controlling: I decide what part of my personality you're seeing. I don't want you to look at me, I really don't. I don't want you to comment on my clothes, my hair or the way I look.

My advice to you is please don't ever sit in your room and lock yourself away because you don't think you're good enough.

I'm an incredibly negative person, so any form of success is only ever going to be a relief to me and set my default position back to neutral.

I'm not frightened of a bit of silence.

Although I was a shy child, I was also a bit flamboyant.