Quotes

I know how to build a block of flats. I have watched them for hours building the foundations. I've watched bricks being laid, like Lego. I've seen workers sacked. There is always something to engross you in life.

I'm still learning how to enter a room on my own. From my dad to my first husband to my second husband, I've always had a man around. This week I went to a party at the National and going upstairs I met the designer Bob Crowley and asked him to hold my hand. But I always had John's hand in mine. We thought we were going off into the sunset together.

The public are amazing. I know I can't over value it because it's not as real as one's friends love, but it's deeply touching and I was very grateful for it.

[on accepting the CBE and being a devout Quaker] They said it was fine because it was for my work and it was earned.

I know people who get called national treasures who are vile.

The public have always been nice to me and don't pester me. You do get a bit fed up with the selfies. I often wonder what John (John Thaw) would do. Thank God they weren't invented before he died.

I am a member of the Labour Party but I am a bit ambivalent at the moment. I could not vote for anybody else but I am a bit worried at the moment. We have got to vote whatever.

[on being made a Dame] I've never felt myself this sort of person. It just doesn't happen to people like me. I feel I may be lowering the tone. I feel slightly miscast, let's put it that way.

If I say something outrageous and I'm cancelled, I'm shortly going to be cancelled by death anyway.