What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

'You're not free.'

A review that said I had the charm of a hamster.

"You can't see your children for two weeks." (When I was going through my divorce.)

Any time I’ve been racially profiled. The words might be different, but the feeling is the same.

“You’ll never walk again.” This was when I was eight or nine and recovering from viral encephalitis.

I can’t disclose that because it’s not suitable for public airing, but it was truly awful; they’ve since said worse.

When I was a child, a member of staff at Wood End Assessment Centre [a former children’s home in Wigan] bellowed: “He copies them poems off of Bob Marley records.”

That I am a terrible actor.

“We’d love you to be on the cover of our magazine and we’ll give you a makeover.”

Another actress once said to me, “I’ve told you huge lies to make you feel good about yourself.” I’m not going to say who.

I’ve heard it all: too fat, too short, no talent. Those are the things that cut me deep when I was younger, but now they drive me.

When I was first acting, in college, a relative came and saw me in Hedda Gabler and she said: “Look in the mirror, you’re not an actor. An actor looks like Mel Gibson.”

Go back to where you came from.

Somebody wrote that my voice was more numbing than novocaine.

“Everyone hates you.” (My manager, a long time ago.)

“Not interested.” Who? Many people.

“You’re a wonderful musician but a terrible friend.” It was Daniel Barenboim, the famous conductor, because I didn’t have time in the calendar to work with him.

I like you but I wish you looked more like David Beckham.

“You’re selfish.” It was a friend.

“And for you, sir?” It happens a lot.