“The theatre always seems to be in trouble but always thriving. It's deeply comic…” — Melvyn Bragg

I'll never forget my interview with Barry Humphries - one of the oddest I've ever done. He insisted that for half the time he appeared as Dame Edna. So I interviewed the real Barry Humphries in a suit and tie, and then I interviewed Edna in full fig in her dressing room, where she criticised Barry mercilessly.

Too old at 72? Careful. Ageism is out. We'll have the law on you!

I've been making arts programmes for almost 50 years, and every day, I can't believe my luck.

I'm not a fan of the working class being mocked, including by some of our famous writers - even those who came from it.