Each year India and China produce four million graduates compared with just over 250 000 in Britain.

Political tyranny is nothing compared to the social tyranny and a reformer who defies society is a more courageous man than a politician who defies Government.

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

If the euro zone doesn't come up with a comprehensive vision of its own future you'll have a whole range of nationalist xenophobic and extreme movements increasing across the European Union. And frankly questions about the British debate on EU membership will just be a small sideshow compared to the rise of political populism.

When I wonder what the future of books will be I often think about horses. Before automobiles existed everyone had a horse. Then cars became available and their convenience compared to horses was undeniable.

I've had one very bad ankle injury but otherwise I've been incredibly lucky with my fitness. I've worked hard at it and I've always been fit even compared to other players. That sustains you through various parts of your career but I am 36.

It is more interesting to be compared to someone famous because it lets you gauge what perceptions people have about your appearance.

To a certain extent I am taking a leap of faith. I'm adding up the evidence on either side and I'm seeing the evidence of there not being a God is overwhelming compared to the evidence for there being a God.

The faith religious believers have in God is small compared to the faith people put in politicians knowing how many times they have been disappointed in the past but still insisting that this time it will be different.

I have never described the time I was in Doctor Who as anything except a kind of ecstatic success but all the rest has been rather a muddle and a disappointment. Compared to Doctor Who it has been an outrageous failure really - it's so boring.