I thought, 'Could I ever call myself ugly as a character?' And it was like, 'Yeah, I'd love to be able to say stuff like that.'
I had to prove that I could understand other aspects of human beings and not just little fat girls.
I much prefer to meet actors that are really into the play rather than into the part.
Twenty years ago I brought young, unknown film maker Joe Wright with me to a private show of 'Nil by Mouth.' Gary Oldman asked me if he was any good. I said, 'give it a few years and he'll direct you in a film that will win you an Oscar.'
What I enjoy most about directing is the chance of working things out with the writer, plus I need their approval and I like the chat.
I didn't want to work on dry, old plays written by the dry, old dead.
When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and concentrate on theatre directing, Dominic Dromgoole got in touch to ask if I'd like to do something with Oxford Stage Company. My reaction was negative.
I'm knocking on 50, and I'm still getting recognized for playing a 14-year-old boy. It makes me think I must still look great!
I don't half love being in my forties! You feel more grown-up and can say 'no' to things without feeling you're letting the whole team down. You don't have to worry about pleasing other people all the time. You just feel more comfortable in yourself.
I'm happy to be selfish now. That's the beauty of getting older.
I used to get defensive when people asked me, 'Is it the control that you like about directing?' I used to say, 'No!' But now I'm older, I say, 'Yeah, it absolutely is!'
I was losing the buzz of going on stage - and getting a bit tired.
I'm a good people manager and I like that fact I can draw out their performances.
In fact, I didn't realize I was 'unattractive' - in inverted commas - until I started acting. It was, 'Oh no, you're not right for the part - we're looking for a pretty girl.'
I remember the nuns used to swear quite a lot, so I think maybe it's picking it up from them.
If I get angry about stuff - I have to say I can use quite fruity language at times which isn't to everyone's taste.
When I'm with the people who love me, I feel boo'iful.
I didn't actually start having sex until I was 23.
I've got one of those really big tellies.
Once I was 13 and on the bus with me mate Mary when we passed this little bit of green where all the winos used to go and it was a little bit embarrassing because I saw me dad there amongst them all. When it was bad, it was very bad.
Money really is a dirty word.
So if you see me popping up on 'Cats Does Countdown,' you know Kath needs a bit of money.
I'm a Lizzo fan these days. Oh my god. I mean, I wish she'd been around when I was young.
I'm a bit obsessed with Lizzo at the moment.
I could have my hair really short. I didn't have to wear dresses, I could wear baggy old T-shirts and ripped trousers and monkey boots and I was desirable to boys that were into the same stuff.
I had mates who lived in tower blocks and I always hated seeing them, because of the lifts, y'know? My God, so scary.
But I don't have any eyebrows.
Not having a mum was my thing. It came with a sort of fame. Other kids couldn't get their head around that. But looking back now, I'm quite proud about how I managed myself. I didn't end up sniffing glue or running away. I just got on with things.
I find acting so tiring!
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'd probably go Green because I am really worried about climate change and the planet.
I've been a Labour voter all my life.
There's a great difference between innocence and ignorance.
Sex education is absolutely important. Kids need to know about sex.
The sad thing in this day and age is kids have access to all sorts of horrible stuff on the Internet and they need to be taught the stuff about love and sex.
Not having a mum is massive for a young girl really.
My heart's desire was freedom... 400 years ago they'd have burned me as a witch or dunked me like a big biscuit.
The stereotype is that if a woman doesn't have children she doesn't like children. I really love kids.
If you were an actress in a film that had been nominated for five Oscars, including one for yourself, you would expect to have scripts landing on the door step.
I wanted to write a semi-autobiographical piece that was uplifting and heart-warming.
2021 is my 40th year working in the industry and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than directing 'Holding.' It's a beautiful piece of writing with a great story and fantastic, full-bodied characters.
Imagine being the kids that don't get the job - you're just not beautiful enough I'm afraid, my darling, now off you pop and be riddled with insecurities for the rest of your life.
I was born to play Miss Grizzlesniff. I've got lots of friends that are little humans who are very excited about me being in 'School Of Roars.'
Harry Enfield and 'Chums' is very family-orientated, but 'Gimme, Gimme, Gimme' isn't for mums and dads.
I must be the only actress in history who has been asked to be naked for untitillating reasons.
I love playing grotesques, I relish it.
Without meaning to sound anti-men, ghastly women are the closest you get to a male role.
Edinburgh is good craic. A romantic and beautiful city, it's one those places that makes me smile when I think about it - there are other places I would never dare go back to, but Edinburgh is very special.
We only get one life so my happiness is very important.