Tracey Ullman

"I hated the pressure that many of the children were under. Many of the kids were forced to grow up too fast, their careers were being decided for them before they were 13. If I went to an audition then theyd always choose the sweetest, prettiest kid. I wasnt obviously beautiful so I used to miss out." Ullman has also alleged that the owners taught their own children and that a certain level of favouritism seemed to exist. She also felt that the education she was receiving was of very little value. "These stupid teachers would come in and go, Good morning, darlings, lets all be dustbins! Id go, Oh, shut up! I wanna be a banana!"

"Dignity, girls! Ageing with dignity – thats the thing."

"My face is a good one for doing impersonations. I’ve got small eyes, a low brow and a big head ... When I worked at the BBC in the 80s the only wigs that would fit me were Mike Yardwoods."

"As I get older, I just prefer to knit."

"Every character I do is based on someone I know. I try to justify every sketch we do. If its not working, we find someone to talk to who it has happened to."

"You see, most people with multiple personalities get therapy. I get my own HBO comedy series!"

"Oh, yeah, shes that snippy little Brit girl who takes all the parts so no one else gets a crack at it."

"In 1976 I was sweet 16. Well, I was never sweet, but I was 16."

"As we twirled and snapped our fingers, I felt light and airy and fancy-free. Of course I did, I had no bloody panties on! And the cartwheel lifts coming up! And Im a brunette!"

"I thought, is this what its all about? Do you have to be blonde and girly and have freckles and a snub-nose and sort of act the coquette in show business? WELL YES!"

"I dont think theres anybody like her, and thats a big deal. If you insist, there are parallels to Peter Sellers, an actor who did brilliant sketch comedy."

"I wouldnt do anything mean spirited. If its in the wrong spirit, or if its not honest, then I wouldnt do it. Its got to honest. Otherwise, whats the point?"