Source: The Independent

The home I grew up in ...
Was a flat just on the Barnes side of Hammersmith Bridge. It had a communal garden that ran the length of the street and overlooked the river, where all the children played together. It was absolutely fantastic.


When I was a child I wanted to be ...
A ballerina. I did ballet until I was 15 and too big in every way imaginable.

The moment that changed me for ever ...
Was giving birth to my daughter. She was born at 3am. There's something incredibly magical about giving birth in the dark. I lay in bed with her in the cot beside me and felt an almost physical wave of love run up my body.

My greatest inspiration ...
Dame Maggie and Dame Judi. Both are awe-inspiring: magically gifted, funny, and the kindest, most generous women you could meet.

My real-life villain ...
For so many years it was Margaret Thatcher, who came into power before I was 18.

If I could change one thing about myself ...
It would be my legs. Mine are very capable, but that's all that can be said of them.

At night I ...
Have terrible anxiety dreams about being in a play.

What I see when I look in the mirror ...
Increasingly, my mother.

My style icon ...
Audrey Hepburn. She had the most astounding physique, and dressed with exquisite simplicity.

I wish I'd never worn ...
hundreds of things, including a bright green puffball skirt I wore to Glyndebourne when I was very young.

The shop I can't walk past ...
I'm not a great shopper. I only shop if I really need something.

A book that changed me ...
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran; every household should own a copy. It's gentle philosophy for everyday life. Advice for parents includes the idea that children are arrows and you are the bow. Your job as a parent is to make that arrow fly strong and beautiful.

My favourite work of art ...
Joachim's Dream by Giotto.

My favourite item of clothing ...
My pyjamas, because it means I'm either in bed, about to go, about to get up, or having a really lazy Sunday.

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at ...
Cryptic crosswords – the others don't count. When filming, crosswords are the perfect antidote; they keep your mind alert, energy levels up, and don't distract you.

You may not know it but I'm no good at ...
Flying. I panic about where I'm sitting. I have to be close enough to see the air hostesses so I can check whether they're panicking. Then there's the crying and the hyperventilating ...

All my money goes on ...
My children; no one tells you how incredibly expensive they are.

If I have time to myself ...
I tend not to, but if I do, I watch a film or read a book.

My house is ...
A Victorian house with a very beautiful garden.

My most valuable possession is ...
My engagement ring. More so than my wedding ring as I never thought I'd get engaged. Actors don't do things like that, and then – out of the blue – I was presented with a ring and a hand-penned poem.

My favourite building ...
Is the Santa Maria in Venice. Inside it's incredibly simple, but it's the most striking building I've ever seen.

Movie heaven ...
Fred and Ginger. I would have given anything to have been Ginger Rogers and to have danced with Fred Astaire.

The last album I bought/downloaded ...
Probably Sergeant Pepper when I was 11 years old. My husband is the music man.

In 10 years' time, I hope to ...
Be looking forward to my daughter's wedding. I'm eagerly anticipating grandparent-hood.

My greatest regret ...
Is that I never danced professionally – although I did once dance for Sir Anthony Dowell at a charity gala.

The best invention ever ...
Is the mashed potato ricer, for completely lump-free mash.

I drive ...
A purple Ford Fiesta. I like to think of it as the colour of Elizabeth Taylor's eyes.

The person who makes me laugh ...
Dave Allen, a brilliant comedian, and a sad loss to us all.

It's not fashionable but I like ...
Wellington boots.

My life in seven words ...
Happy, tiring, busy, funny, loving, warm, home.



A life in brief
Samantha Bond was born in London on 27 November 1961. She played Miss Moneypenny to Pierce Brosnan's James Bond in several films. Married to the actor Alexander Hanson, the couple live in south-west London with their children, Molly, 17, and Tom, 15. Her latest role, alongside Burt Reynolds and Derek Jacobi, is in A Bunch of Amateurs, which is released nationwide on 19 December.