The intimate correspondence of a Manchester Guardian journalist and his wife is the basis for a theatre piece marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day During a house move, a cardboard box belo…
The comedian on gaining and losing weight, taking two-hour baths, and a sexy dream involving Jimmy Carr Born in Surrey, Marcus Brigstocke, 51, was the winner of the BBC New Comedy Award i…
The novelist and playwright on being spooked by watermills, a secret kiss and splashing out on family holidays Born in Kenya, Philippa Gregory, 70, wrote her first novel while completing …
The comedian on a grim festive job playing Bing Crosby, an air-kiss from Joanna Lumley, and his love of bread and wine Born in London, Tom Allen, 40, left school at 18 and pursued a career i…
The actor on the lasting thrill of a teenage kiss, her crush on Harrison Ford and what she plans to do with her brain Born in London, Jane Asher, 77, had her first role at five, in the 1952 …
The actor, producer and singer on sleeping in, surviving breast cancer and saying the wrong thing to a makeup artist Born in California, Rita Wilson, 66, starred in The Brady Bunch TV show a…
The comedian and author on her first kiss with a woman, eating crisps in bed and getting so drunk she fell asleep in the toilet Born in Bridlington, east Yorkshire, Rosie Jones, 32, worked a…
The actor and playwright on bullies, the secret of her best kiss and watching her future husband on stage as a teenager Born in Hull, Lolita Chakrabarti, 52, studied at Rada. Her television …
The actor and singer on RuPaul's Drag Race, learning how to be loved, and why no actor could play him in the film of his life Born in Pennsylvania, Billy Porter, 51, studied drama and moved …
The actor on eyebags, his worst job, and trying to be cool by a pool Born in London, Paterson Joseph, 55, trained at Lamda and went on to perform for the RSC and the National Theatre. His fi…
The playwright and activist on honouring her body, secret initiations and being happy in her 60s Born in New York, Eve Ensler, 66, premiered her play The Vagina Monologues in 1996. It has si…
The actor on shutting down ambitions, clueless politicians and embarrassing farts Born in Herefordshire, Jessica Raine, 36, graduated from Rada in 2008. She was cast as the lead in the first…
The comedian and writer on her fear of flying, Adrian Mole and sniffing her cats' pawsBorn in Glasgow, Susan Calman, 44, was a lawyer before becoming a standup in 2006. She was in the Channe…
'How do I relax? I'm always relaxed'Sam Shepard, 70, was born on an Illinois army base, where his father was stationed. In the 1960s, he moved to New York, where he became an award-winning p…
The actor on being changed by Hamlet, good suits and playing the piano badlyBorn in London, Edward Fox, 80, went to Rada. During the 1970s, he starred in The Day Of The Jackal and won Baftas…
The singer on a stolen kiss, her love of cursing, and not being a flash in the panBorn in Scotland, Sheena Easton, 57, has won two Grammys and sold more than 20m records; her songs include M…
The lyricist on his worst job, relationship regrets and the wise words his father said to himBorn in Buckinghamshire, Tim Rice, 72, is a lyricist. In the 60s, he teamed up with Andrew Lloyd …
The comedian and author on memories of Iran, doing things her way and buying her mum a walk-on partBorn in Iran, Shappi Khorsandi, 43, was granted asylum in the UK after her family was force…
The actor on growing old happily, not being a morning person and eating lemons covered in saltLondon-born Nicola Walker, 46, starred in the BBC drama Spooks from 2003 to 2011. In 2013, she w…
The writer on sneaking cigarettes, what love feels like and why he last criedBorn in South Africa, Ronald Harwood, 81, moved to London in 1951. He trained at Rada, and worked as a dresser fo…
The comedian on mistaken identity, his love of birds and his disappointment at being overlooked for the role of 007Born in Bath, Bill Bailey, 52, was nominated for a Perrier award at the 199…
The actor and presenter on footballing heroes " and villains " Scottish legs and being a metrosexualBorn in Surrey, Angus Deayton, 60, studied at Oxford University, where he co-created the s…
The actor on kissing in an air-raid shelter, weight issues and best friend Billy ConnollyBorn in Dundee, Brian Cox, 70, won an Olivier in 1988 for his Titus Andronicus for the RSC. In 2001, …
The dancer and choreographer on his dry skin, big toes and footwearI am usually late for everything, except my performances " they are sacred. The one thing I can do that a lot of peopl…
The comedian, actor and writer on his 27 marathons in 27 days and his most treasured possessionBorn in South Yemen, Izzard, 54, began his career as a standup at the Comedy Store in London in…