THE REAL ME
Actor Caroline Quentin, 63, on her passion for gardening and loving her latest role. She lives in Devon with husband Sam and their two children
What are you like first thing in the morning?
I’m a nightmare! I wake up early – about 5.30am. My children say I’m like [the robot] R2-D2 from Star Wars because I hit the ground running.
What is your worst habit?
I’m massively chaotic. I’m not very good at dealing with my packing and unpacking. I spend a lot of time travelling for work and I’ll get home, take out what’s dirty and put it in a big pile, get another suitcase out and put clean stuff in it. I then forget to clean up the stuff from the first suitcase. I’m just not organised!
If you were home alone, what would you do?
It depends on the time of year. I would either be in my dressing gown in the greenhouse if it’s chilly, or, if it’s really hot, nude in the greenhouse – it’s not overlooked! I might go for a naked swim in the pond at home. If I get any real downtime, I like to sit in my pyjamas and draw or paint.
Where are you most happy?
Being in the countryside on a walk – on my own or with my husband and children.
What is your biggest fear?
I get more and more anxious as I get older. I’m seeking a bit of help for it at the moment. It tends to be about me or my loved ones not being OK.
Do you have regrets?
Lots! Things that I’ve said and done, opportunities I’ve missed and people I’ve hurt. And things I wish I’d said to someone who is now no longer alive. One of the things about getting older is that you look back and think, ‘I wish I’d handled that better,’ but you just hope not to make the same mistakes again.
What are the best and worst things about ageing?
The ability to say no to people, and to put your own mental and physical wellbeing first is the best. And realising that you must make the most of your time. The worst is
