I don't like religion.

My mother died of a stroke in 1974, and for a long time, I blamed myself. She was utterly devastated when I told her I was a lesbian not long before.

My vocabulary is vast and expert, and I don't think I overuse any word.

I have no secrets. I decided very early on in life that the strongest position was to be completely open.

My home in Adelaide was the Adina Hotel.

Adelaide's charms are compelling. It's not a huge place; the size is manageable, the traffic absurdly light.

As I get older, people do come up to me just to give me a hug.

People seem comfortable with me. And maybe that's got a lot to do with shows like Graham Norton. You just tell it like it is on those programs.

I do say things possibly other people don't say. So I shouldn't be too surprised when they are picked up.

It's really hard being old - it's horrible.

Israel is stupid for allowing people to vent their anti-Semitism.

I am stopped in the street by kids and Harry Potter fans all the time.

I really have fallen in love with myself.

It's shameful to admit, but it's been a bit of a lifelong affair, and I do now feel I'm as good as it gets. I'm honourable, kind, friendly, warm, intelligent, generous, and I've got a good sense of humour.

I've never been someone who is cast for having a lovely figure but for whatever qualities I could possibly bring to a role, so I'm still castable.

I don't like 'comedy,' I like 'life,' which has everything in it.

From my earliest days, reading was my passion, and at Cambridge, where I studied English literature, my intellectual life deepened and grew.

My partner of 45 years is Australian, and a big part of her character is that marvellous quality of irony which Aussies possess. I relish their humour and sense of fairness.

That's one reason India is an attractive proposition for retiring. Servants are much more reasonable than in England. It's not exploitation so long as you pay a proper salary.

I refused to be filmed getting off a bus twice. The director said, 'I'm an award-winning director. Please do it', and I said, 'I never thought I'd say this, but I'm an award-winning actress with a bad leg, and if your film depends on seeing me get in and out of a bus, we're in trouble.'

I should have got thin, but I eat too much. I hate the word 'moderation.'

As long as I am working, I am grateful and happy.

Mummy was absolutely the rock in my life. It was not that I didn't love my father; he was such a quiet man, and she was not. She was the most vivid person I have ever known. She was accomplished and brave and fearless. She used to say to me, 'I want you to be able to talk to anyone about anything.'

I don't like class distinction, and there is far too much of that in England.

I've burnt my boats, and there they are - smouldering in public view.

I have to keep working because, although I have land, I'm not cash rich and don't have the wealth of high-profile actresses - don't say I'm an 'actor.' That's a bit too modern.

I wish I had a million in the bank. I like round figures. I am a round figure.

I'd have thought my particular brand of quirkiness, combined with sharp intelligence and a fine voice, would have yielded more. But it hasn't. Yet!

I cannot accept violence.

I believe Jews are compassionate people because of what we've suffered. We must not put that suffering onto others.

It makes me very sad. Everyone's afraid of each other - Jews are afraid of Palestinians, Palestinians are afraid of Jews. Everywhere I see fear, not understanding. Reason went out of the window a long time ago.

I was terribly upset not to be in 'Dickensian,' so I pretend to look down on it. The part I should have played, Mrs. Gamp, is done brilliantly by Pauline Collins, but I entered this world for no other reason than to play that part.

Everything's harder for women: harder to start, to stay employed, to run a life with a family.

I've been very lucky - I've worked consistently, and I haven't had to kiss a lot of people on stage.

I can't recall a bad review - maybe I'm due one. But the worst thing would be if somebody said I was inaudible. Reach your audience's ears - only then can you reach their hearts.

I very much regret that I haven't been taken more seriously. I would love to have been at the National or the RSC.

I don't understand why gay people are so anxious to get married.

I support children's charities; I just don't want them around me. It's not very admirable, but it's the truth.

Anti-Semitism is a rotten thing. It's an ignorant, stupid, horrible thing. As is anti-Muslim feeling. They have to be together.

I want people to be open to the idea of sitting down and reading a Dickens book. They will also have a great time.

What most infuriates me is the cell phones. If I see someone texting during the show, I walk off the stage.

Where I think the American actor is slightly at a disadvantage is in vocal technique. I don't think that words are their friend in the same way that English actors are used to using words: understanding about consonance and how to shade a vowel to show emotional color.

The American actor is much more used to being physically relaxed and using their bodies better, and English actors are a little bit unrelaxed, but they're better at vocal technique.

I studied English literature in university, and then I went straight into radio.

Being in Australia makes me happy. My partner is Australian, and my home is in Australia, and it's ridiculous not to be Australian - it's a logical step to take.

I am not the sort of person who divests myself of everything that came before I came to Australia. I want to take all the knowledge and experiences I gained when I was in England and put it at the service of Australia because I have to bring something to Australia - not just money but myself.

It would be absurd to say I'm not British - you can hear it when I speak.

One of the worst things about ageing is the waning of your physical powers. I live in a house with 64 stairs, and I cannot run up and down them any more; my knee has conked out.

Getting older is a hideous experience; I'm so glad I only have to do it once. But I've kept my mind, my career, my relationship, and I have enough money - I've been blessed.

My looks have changed, but I was never beautiful, so I'm not any less beautiful now.