At eighty things do not occur; they recur.

God doesn't do notes, either. Did Jesus Christ say, "Can I be excused the Crucifixion?" No!

Clich s can be quite fun. That's how they got to be clich s.

Night falls over Machu Picchu to the sound of Abba's 'Dancing Queen'.

I've been lucky to have made a number of travel programmes with the BBC, the object being to see places off the beaten track. As a result, I've often had a guide who's been able to show me things that you wouldn't see with a tour group.

I've never particularly liked travelling with large groups or being told where to go by somebody else. I prefer to find out for myself.

I've been lucky enough to stand on both poles, but the place that seemed the remotest to me was Butugychag, a former gulag in Siberia. It is completely cut off from the rest of the world.

I am very cautious of people who are absolutely right, especially when they are vehemently so.

Something about John Cleese was always very unsettled, I felt. There was always something else he wanted to do. He seemed constantly driven by this sense that there was a nirvana somewhere; some unique place where mind, body and soul would be utterly satisfied.

I am certainly more interested in interviewing than being interviewed. Sometimes you find yourself attacked from the start.

I have been unusually blessed in that I've been allowed to pursue two strands of a career that both delight me and seem to please the public.

My first meeting with you only confirmed what I first suspected. You are a fraud, a charlatan and a shyster. My favourite kind of person, in fact.

Like a Frenchman, far from home, catching a whiff of Gauloise.

My real dissatisfaction is with my dissatisfaction. How dare I be so discontent? How dare I? Or being discontent why cannot I shut up about it?

I think the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can shift on you at any moment.

You don't want to get into doing the same thing, over and over again. I know I don't.

I don't do the whole L.A. nightlife thing.

I suppose I'm something of an eccentric dresser.

I was obsessed with football when I was growing up.

While I enjoy spending time in L.A., Britain is my home.

I would like to be taller, thinner and more rakish looking.

We knew, very early on, that we had to be very, very clear that directors need to speak to actors and actresses and be very clear about what is expected, and find out whether they're comfortable with that. Wardrobe has to be in place. There have to be checks.

I'm such a chronic relativist, I can't hold down a strong opinion about many things long enough.

At home, I hardly ever leave London. I don't like the countryside in England.