My parents have a strong work ethic, but their attitude to life, their philosophy, is: 'whatever makes you happy.

I first started acting in primary school, just doing little plays. And from the moment I began, something just went 'click' inside me. Suddenly I wasn't shy anymore. Instead I felt confident and happy. I can remember the enormous sense of relief it gave me. I loved the feeling of making people laugh.

Comedy was why I got into acting the first place. Peter Sellers was a huge influence on my wanting to act. I grew up with him and found him hysterical. The Pink Panther films were an inspiration, from my earliest childhood days, when I was watching them with my brother and my dad.

A different script calls for different things. It always takes me a long time to get to know the part, and know the logic behind the words. I have to be with the script for quite a long time before things start to fall into place, before they become part of the character.

Different directors have different things, so when I left Mike Leigh, as it were, and I went into other projects after 'All or Nothing,' it took some getting used to - what do you mean there's a script?!?' That kind of thing.

I remember once giving my dad some drawings and writings and said, 'If you could just give these to the publisher, that would be great.' And I was about five!

I love disappearing. That's what acting is. For me it's about putting on a persona, stepping into a pair of shoes. It's my face, but I'm using it as a tool for that spirit, that character.

I love acting but I also love writing, especially comedy.

My feet are like something from another age - prehistoric and troll-like. I keep expecting them to talk, they have that much character.

I'll try and get through as much as my voice and nerves and knees will let me.

My knees buckled. It's the last thing I expected

One of the things I love about acting is that I can enter into these other people's lives. But going back to being me at the end of the day is very important, too. That process of remembering who I am.

I don't wear bright orange clothes or leopard skin boots, but it was really good fun to play someone that does and have an excuse too!

You can't be a woman and not be a feminist, I don't think. If you care about the world and the world you exist in and your rights.

I'm quite an optimist, quite happy in life, quite smiley.