First something medical, then, without any doubt, an artist.

At the end he asked me if I would like to go into the Army. I thought it would be splendid to command an Army, so I said 'Yes' at once: and immediately I was taken at my word. ... I was told later that he had only come to the conclusion that I was not clever enough to go to the Bar. However that may be, the toy soldiers turned the current of my life.

I was a huge daydreamer and imagined myself as a successful general leading his troops into battle.

That rather assumes I have grown up.

By the sea. I would like to be on the beach in Kerala, I would like to be on the beach at Yellowcraigs in Scotland, and then at a really good table, drinking really good wine, eating delicious food, and discussing things I am passionate about with people that I am passionate about.

My dog’s trust in me.

It was such a beautiful summer’s night and I had pink hair and my band was doing really well and my mum was there, my mum was still alive. It was very magical for me and to get the honour of my city, to be blessed by their respect, it was delicious.

Myself. I have never been harder on anyone else.

Like a cosy cloud of softness coupled with an orthopaedic mattress underneath.

Climate change. That is the single most important calamity in the making that I obsess over.