"For a long time I thought I should be a civil engineer. That seemed to be the only thing worth doing..." — Ian Hislop

I've got a very peculiar sort of fame, based on being on the telly. It doesn't mean you have the lifestyle people expect.

I get paid to do what I enjoy, not that common a condition.

I like making films about old people because they are repositories of amazing stories that they tell well. And they're incredibly good telly.

You can't understand Twenties England until you appreciate it was under a cloud of mourning. Nearly everyone was grieving.