“My mum came from nothing and didn’t have many opportunities in her youth, and she blames a lot of her social inadequacies on that.”

I like not to feel that all my eggs are in one basket, or I get nervous.

Celebrity culture is an aspirational culture regardless of how much you don’t want it to be.

I don’t normally have time to read, so when I go away I like to take a few books.

I’m not one for sightseeing or going around the shops when I’m on holiday. I do enough shopping when I’m at home, and like to have a complete break when I’m away.

I believe in life you need to always ask for everything politely and nicely, and then if they say no you do what you wanted to do anyway

I’m really into food; it’s one of my favourite things – everything from potato waffles to lobster.

I don’t connect much with the present. I have more of an affinity for what came in the past.

You cannot schedule death.

It’s amazing living alone. I’m very lucky. It’s like a refuge.

I’m the type of person who, if somebody offers me a free meal, I get excited because you never know where your next free meal is going to come from.

If I go out with no make-up and a tracksuit on, nobody comes up to me. And if they do, I won’t do a photo because I wouldn’t want any photographic evidence.

I love interesting people with eccentric stories and outsiders of the world.

If I see something that inspires me, I’ll dress like it.

Anybody who says they don’t want to be seen on a show which has millions of people watching it at one time when they’re in the business of selling records is a bit silly.

There’s nothing better than achieving your goals, whatever they might be.

I think I’d be a million times more successful and more iconic if I was a singer in the 40s. I’d be allowed a level of mystery and I think I’d suit that decade.

Take personal responsibility for your negative emotions, rather than blaming others.

Salt is so humble that when something goes wrong, it takes the blame, and when everything goes right, it doesn’t take credit.

Don’t blame the marketing department. The buck stops with the chief executive.

Every one of us can blame somebody for something that has happened in our lives. But don’t waste your time. What we need most is a steady stream of love flowing among us. Love that quickly forgives, willingly overlooks, and refuses to take offense.

Fair play is primarily not blaming others for anything that is wrong with us.

Mother Teresa was part of a conspiracy to convert Hindus to Christianity.

Don’t you ever let anyone fault you for outgrowing them.

You can’t blame me for who I am.