Sandi Toksvig

“The other day, I was taking part in an audience Q&A when I was roundly scolded by a woman for 'allowing the BBC to ruin the English language.' Naturally I felt terrible, as I had no idea either that it was happening or that I was responsible.”

“The problem with money issued by any government is that its only value is what those in charge decree.”

“I love 'Teach Yourself' books. I bought an old weaving loom and had no time for classes, but one 'Teach Yourself' later, and my bobbin is flying.”

“Mostly, I'm totally happy in my own space at home with the door closed with my family and friends.”

“Social media, to me, has got out of hand. Why can't we all be nice to each other?”

“I am keen on a spiritual life and have struggled to find a place for my heart in a religious community.”

“Although I'm sure she's completely charming and delightful, I'm not sure if Kate Middleton might be the best role model. This is a person who has got where she is by marriage, a person whose weight, clothing, hair we worry about - we don't worry about what she's thinking.”

“I don't know a lot about mountaineering. I once went walking in the Lake District with the legendary climber Chris Bonington and had to have emergency physio afterwards to regain sensation in my thighs.”

“A lot of what we think of as history is actually just a version of events which may or may not be true.”

“Sitting on a plastic chair at night listening to the sea lapping below while sipping a cold beer is about as good as life gets.”

“My dad died of a massive heart attack when he was 59, as he didn't look after himself.”

“I dislike hatred, offence, unkindness.”

“'The News Quiz' is one of the things I am proudest of in my professional life.”

“At my worst, I was a size 22, and at that size, you can't go down the high street and buy yourself things that make you feel good. Your shopping options are limited in a way they aren't when you are a size 12.”

“Women are not allowed to be polymaths; we're only allowed to do single maths.”

“I get in a temper with inanimate objects. I can't bear plastic. I do get in a complete rage with something that's been shrink-wrapped.”

“I'm absolutely obsessed with boxing.”

“Language is ever on the move, and most days, I check out the 'Urban Dictionary' where anyone can invent a new and useful word or phrase.”

“I was never interested in how I look.”

“Like most women, my weight goes up and down.”