Maureen Lipman

People in power need advisers.

A lot of us, it's very hard to distinguish between wanting a job and wanting to show off. I don't know the difference, I never have.

I'm full of ideas and general crackling chemistry and I can read the 'score' of a comedy as though it's a musical score.

I've often unwittingly done the wrong thing; most things you mess up in life you do through nerves.

There is no PhD in widowhood. When it's very new, you are often surrounded by good friends, but there is a point when people think you should pull yourself together and get over it. That is true, but that point comes for some after two months, some after 12 years and for some, never. It's your experience, and you have to do it your way.

I was a Labour luvvie, with Blair. I wasn't really a party member.