Julia Sawalha

“It's a tremendous feeling walking on to a set with a live audience and making them laugh, but I love drama, and I love drama where there's the ability to bring comedy into it because in a lot of tragic circumstances in life there is comedy to be had.”

“It distresses me when I take my seven-year-old nephew out. I cook healthy food, and he wants to go to McDonald's. He doesn't even like the food; he just wants the toys, the Happy Meals. I can't stand to see people walking down the street eating fast food.”

“I love to travel with my family or my two best friends because I completely trust them. I forced my two best friends into learning to scuba dive with me in Sri Lanka - it was amazing but also hideous because we were learning in very difficult seas.”

“I just love doing costume dramas; I am very lucky, as I see myself as a part-time time traveller.”

“I'm on a constant path of self-discovery and change. I'm trying to become a better person, a nicer person. I love therapy - it's brilliant.”

“I'm not much of a baby freak - I like them when they're older.”

“Ever since I can remember feeling love for my parents, I've been frightened of losing them.”

“I am always baffled by age, but to be honest with you, I feel like I am about 34. I feel better now and I am certainly healthier than I was in my early 30s. I am more rounded, too.”

“Cuba is such a beautiful country, and everywhere you go, there's music and people dancing - especially in Havana.”

“Being a mum is something that's never bothered me too much. I have never felt a strong need to have children, but I am not averse to it either.”

“I wouldn't miss the fame. I don't go out hunting for it. I try to avoid it and to slip into the background wherever I go.”