Quotes from Helen Baxendale

As a teenager I was quite conventional in the way I dressed, more so than now. I tried to be rebellious but I was really lame at it.

I think that happens every five years or so when 'Friends' moves to a different channel. I think basically everybody has seen it now. It's so good, and timeless. Actually I don't know if it's timeless, I haven't seen it for years.

I had a little glimpse of what fame holds, and I decided it held a load of nothing.

Good love and romance aren't always what the hype cracks them up to be.

Energy is infectious.

You don't keep in contact with many of the people you work with because there are so many. Acting's just a transient job, very occasionally you'll meet people and really hit it off but generally you just know people to say hello to.

I read 'Mommie Dearest,' and while I am not comparing myself to Joan Crawford, I will never uproot my child. I won't make my daughter move. I'd rather not work than do that.

'Friends' was great fun, but I was just there so they could make some funny jokes about England.

I've never done a zip wire. I'm a scaredy-cat.

I never felt sorry for the people in 'Friends' though. They had enormous wealth and they were very funny, creative people who gave a lot of people happiness.

Childhood is pretty fantastic but every age has its moments of beauty.

For me, acting is like a holiday. I spend a lot of time at home with my kids, and then every so often I go out and flex my creative muscles on stage.

I've never had my nails done - look at them!

People latch on to characters who are rude or naughty or bad. Look at JR in 'Dallas' or Angie in 'EastEnders.' They're the best parts, the parts people want to be like.

I have noticed that there are fewer parts for women of a certain age. You hit a certain age, and undoubtedly there's less opportunity. That's not all right. Who wants to see only men on our screens?

Each job I do is a bit of a logistical nightmare because of the kids, so I always feel like I need a good rest afterwards.

Listen, I'm extremely lucky. I can't complain at all. I've had a very good go at it. But there is no doubt that as a woman it gets harder as you get older. I don't think it's so hard for men - that's the same in a lot of industries.

I used to be terribly vain. I'd spend a lot of time pampering myself and applying make-up and hoping that I'd look nice.

I don't know if there are many misconceptions. One is that my birthday is on Valentine's Day. It's on 7 June.

Valentine's Day isn't always as much fun as many of us would like.

I originally wanted to be a ballet dancer and trained for years, but when I was around 18, I realized I wasn't going to be as good a ballet dancer as I'd hoped I'd be and decided to become an actress instead.

I look stern because I've got high cheekbones and a pointy nose, and a lot of my characters have been quite stubborn.

I'm not steely ambitious.

I'm getting quite into ancient barrows and the like these days.