I thought my life was mapped out. Research living in the forest teaching and writing. But in '86 I went to a conference and realised the chimpanzees were disappearing. I had worldwide recognition and a gift of communication. I had to use them.

When I was at drama school I wanted to change the world and thought I had some great wisdom to impart to people about humanity. Now that I'm older I know enough to realise that I know nothing at all.

When you walk the track and you see a corner and realise you were going round it at 160mph you wonder who could be so stupid to take a corner at that speed. But in the car you don't even think about that.

And suddenly I realised that I was no longer driving the car consciously. I was driving it by a kind of instinct only I was in a different dimension.

During the 80s and 90s we all became consumed with ourselves. In the 21st century we've come back to simpler times. People are struggling economically and this has forced them to scale back the material aspects of their lives and realise the beauty of finding the simple joy in being with the people we love.

I realised the bohemian life was not for me. I would look around at my friends living like starving artists and wonder 'Where's the art?' They weren't doing anything. And there was so much interesting stuff to do so much fun to be had... maybe I could even quit renting.

It is through art and through art only that we can realise our perfection.

I realised one day that men are emotional cripples. We can't express ourselves emotionally we can only do it with anger and humour. Emotional stability and expression comes from women.

I never travel without my Stetson but the more I wear it the more I realise that no one wears hats any more. When I was a kid everybody wore hats especially in Texas but I get off the plane in Dallas now and I'm the only guy with a hat. It's amazing.

I like singer-songwriters and I find sad songs comforting rather than depressing. It makes you realise you're not alone in the world.