“At an age when most youngsters are preparing for their GCSEs, I was suddenly a jet-setter, briefly the toast of Hollywood and London's West End. My immature wishes and naive opinions were treated with respect.”

“I guess I'll go to my grave as the Dodger, but at least I've made my mark on show-business history.”

“I look at what I've gone through in my career and I really shouldn't be talking to you now. I should be dead ten times over.”

“I'd definitely be up for 'EastEnders.' Just the same as I would if 'Coronation Street' was offered. Either way, it would be like going back to my roots.”

“I'm thought of as a celebrity. Everything I've ever done... has been for children. As long as I was working constantly, that was fine, because, although I don't have any children, I do relate better to them than adults.”

“It's very hard not to let fame affect you because you are continually being told how good you are. After a while you begin to think there must be some truth in it because all those people can't be wrong.”

“My lifestyle had made me a walking time bomb.”

“There is no buzz like performing for a live audience.”

“Until I was diagnosed with mouth cancer, I'd never heard of it.”