Quotes

[on Jonathan Ross and the obscene phone calls he left with Russell Brand on Andrew Sachs's answerphone] What was so funny about it was how grimly inappropriate it was. It was the nearest thing to slapstick I've ever heard on the radio. It's the equivalent of two people trying to carry a piano up the stairs and it just falling down to the bottom each time. It was hilarious because it was wrong - you don't say that to a national treasure. Trouble is, some people's senses of humour are able to deal with that and other people, their gorge rises and they go, "That's just appalling." Now look what we've done. We've got rid of the best broadcaster of our age. But it'll be fine - he'll be back.

I would say back in the 1990s when everybody was focusing on Britpop, I think the most exciting thing to happen in that decade was Beverley Knight. Absolutely extraordinary.

[on Pointless Celebrities (2010)] David Bowie would be my dream contestant. I'm a huge fan but they couldn't get him for the Olympic opening ceremony so I think it would be hard. He may have a different set of priorities though - I would applaud that.

People never look better than in period costume, especially men.

[on Die Another Day (2002)] That's a couple of hours I'll never get back.

[on "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z] It's a cracking song.

[on "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell] It's a fabulous song.

I used to play the drums and I am now stone deaf.

[on "Friday I'm in Love"] Lovely song.

I'm not one for song snobbery. I like good music whoever it's by. I like everything from The Killers to Catherine Ward Thomas to Buble. I'll listen to all sorts of stuff.