What would you like to be remembered for?

As an honest man.

As a little bit naughty and a lot nice.

My epitaph says: 'We'll make this a comedy yet.' I've already planned it.

As a funny guy who surprised you once in a while.

As an honest person who liked a laugh.

As a well-balanced and functioning thin man.

I think the only way to achieve something that’s classic is to be in the moment. You don’t sit around and think, “Oh, I hope this is remembered forever!” You just have to be honest and I think that requires being in the moment. I don’t think you can worry about what is going to happen with something after that. I think the only thing that you can do is be honest and let the chips fall where they may.

As much as my writing is so important to me and it’s the work I’m here to do, by far the more important thing to me is the people I love.

It’s here. I’ve always thought that it was here. If you play to the gallery, that’s posterity. The best you can hope for is another gallery after you’ve gone, but you won’t see it. Statistically, it’s unlikely that much of what one does will be read for ever. It may just be one or two poems. For example, my Japanese Maple poem is famous among people who own a Japanese maple.

He gave people laughter.

I don’t care – I won’t be here.

It’s up to them.

As not having been tiresome.

With a blue plaque.

With the correct pronunciation of my name.

As somebody who tried.

For being genuine.

As someone who brought people together through music.

With tenderness.

As a citizen, a person involved in my community.