Kathy Burke

From a very young age I'd learned to put on a brave face because of losing my mum. I'd always make jokes if anybody tried to throw sympathy at me.

That's why I won't direct film or telly. I can't do those early mornings anymore. I will only direct theatre because that starts at nine in the morning.

I was a very lame skinhead. I had to be in by 8:30 P. M., so I used to pretend that I had a baby sister I had to go home and baby-sit.

'Walking and Talking' is my love letter to books, '70s television, music and friendship.

If we want equality, we shouldn't then expect to be praised just because we're doing a certain job. That's not equality.