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There are a lot more tabloids in England that like to report other things in your life, some of which are true and some of which are exaggerated and untrue. There have been stories where people claim to have seen me in one place and I wasn't even in that city then. The Aussie press is more judgmental and moralistic.

Gossip isn't scandal and it's not merely malicious. It's chatter about the human race by lovers of the same.

Because of England's lack of social mobility, unless they make truly heroic efforts, writers who are privately educated and then go on to Oxbridge or an institution like the BBC will generally embarrass themselves when they attempt to have a go at working- or lower middle-class characters.

Britain's such a twisted, weird little place.

England is a fairly envious little country and it's embodied in the press. They don't like anyone being more distinguished than they are.

What Britain needs is an iron lady.

The characters in 'Be Near Me' come from a genuine place, a Britain that is more than one country and more than one ideal.

Even modern English people are imperious, superior, ridden by class. All of the hypocrisy and the difficulties that are endemic in being British also make it an incredibly fertile place culturally. A brilliant place to live. Sad but true.

Gossip is conversation about people.

People don't really know about 'Neighbours' in America, and if they have heard of it, it's only in the context of 'Oh, sure, that's what Guy Pearce was on', or Kylie Minogue.