My daughter Karen was born in 1958, the year my first Paddington book came out, so she grew up with him.

Every small boy wanted to be a steam engine driver when they grew up in the old days, including me. There's something very special about them - the noise, the smell, the steam coming out everywhere.

Paddington Bear was a refugee with a label - 'Please look after this bear. Thank you', and he had a little suitcase.

It's nice having a bear about the house.

As a cameraman, I was paid to stand within a few feet of Yehudi Menuhin performing. I saw Rudolph Nureyev dancing. I couldn't believe I was being paid for that.

I have a flat in Paris and go there a lot, but the Eurostar's much more civilised than flying.

From the very beginning, there was not the slightest doubt that Olga da Polga was the sort of guinea pig who would go places.

I wanted a complicated life.

I moved from the holy land (Israel) to the land of opportunities (USA)

...after rare beef and wine, when the lobes turn red, was the time to ask favours or tell bad news.

A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future.

Everybody hates me because I'm so universally liked.

There are three different kinds of scripting: functional, informational and emotional.

I like the atmosphere. You can't beat it when you're introduced. I like making a play and hearing the fans scream. I like the physical as well as the emotional aspect, especially when you win.

Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word.

I get maybe four hours of sleep a night. I'm a little bit crazy.

A lot of the things I say I'm just trying to be funny... I don't really mean everything I say, because I'm not totally that airhead.