Bill Nighy

One of my great regrets, and I don't have many, is that I spent too long putting people's status and reputation ahead of their more important qualities. I learned far too late in life that a long list of letters after someone's name is no guarantee of compassion, kindness, humour, all the far more relevant stuff. ”

In life, if you have an enthusiasm for what they call 'good manners,' sometimes people don't quite believe you. I've had that once or twice before, where they assume you can't be for real. ”

If you are supposed to be villainous and have some sort of agenda, I like the idea of delivering that kind of character in a perfectly well-mannered way. ”

If you ever see me in a social setting wearing any sort of sportswear, then you know I'm in crisis. ”

The phenomenon of vampires has always appealed to me. Everyone kind of likes a vampire story because it almost could be true. ”

When you have a family, or even when you're just seeing a girl, it's difficult to be skint. ”

I'm not a royal family watcher. ”

All actors who have been around for a long time, which I have, and have been skint for long periods, which I have, find it difficult to turn down jobs. If I turn anything down my stomach turns over. I feel sick. It feels like gambling. ”

I don't spend a lot of time with anybody. ”

I know really, really famous people who are terrified every time they walk on to a stage. ”