Sarah Alexander

I want to go to Denmark and Scandinavia. We've been inundated with their telly recently, and I've never been to any of those countries. I really want to get to know the people. I quite fancy living there for a bit if I could take a month off. They just seem like upfront, friendly folk.

I often think you need a lot of courage to be in the acting business. The job itself can be incredibly challenging for various reasons. Sometimes it's impossible and requires sheer guts.

The appeal of comedy is that you're not going to look your best. Dressing up or dressing down is something I love and feel very comfortable doing. I feel at my least comfortable when I have to look at my best.

People in comedy are just gorgeous, just the best human beings. They are naturally interested in other people and in playing something other than themselves.

Having started in theatre, for a long time I wanted to be a classical actress. But I've always loved making people laugh - at school, I was quite mischievous, and bit by bit, I found myself working more and more in comedy.

The secret of comedy is enjoying it. If you're not laughing, it's not going to be funny.

I do not understand the pleasure of being so famous. I just don't get it. I love acting and doing the work. That's what it's all about for me.

I had my fortune told once at the Great Wall of China. A withered old lady told my fortune - but it was probably one of these things that are set up to rip off tourists. She told me a couple of vague things that came true, but she was probably just lucky. I would never do it again.

I have the most dreadfully appalling eyesight. I'm really shortsighted and have been since I was about five. I was the speccy girl with the pink National Health glasses. That's my physical vulnerability, and I wish I could put it right, but I can't - even with surgery.

I used to do things like white-water rafting, trekking and horse-riding safaris. Recently, though, I had the humiliation of having to turn away from a helter skelter. It's a very strange thing when you hit a certain age.

I think the old classic Porsches are fantastic, with those lovely curved lines, but I don't like the modern ones at all.

The older Mercedes is absolutely beautiful. It's got that lovely purring feeling as the engine ticks over, which you just don't get in a modern car.