Quotes

On being awarded the MBE in 2001: I once gave Prince Charles a copy of the Orb's latest album. Maybe it got to him more than I realized.

When I received the MBE in 2002, it was a riot. Literally, snipers on the roof of Buckingham Palace; it was May Day, the then annual day for legal protesting. But it all got out of hand. All the streets were cordoned off, police horses and riot shields everywhere. I'd organised a party to celebrate, near Radio1. We had to stay inside the bar all day and evening. Anyone who ventured outside got kettled.

[on turning eighty] People were sending me messages. I didn't care. I don't see any significance in the zeros. It's not anything to do with me. I happen to be alive. My dad and my uncle both had long lives, so maybe it's just genetics. I don't know. I'm not being blasé about it. I'm very fortunate. I love life. I'm a news fanatic. I want to know what's going on. Why stop?

Who wants safe and bland? Let's have excitement and danger and all that stuff.