Falling in love is so exciting... and scary

Tom Conti

THE award-winning actor, 76, has been a star of stage and screen for six decades. He lives in London with his wife Kara.

Love and fear go hand in hand.

When I met Kara I fell instantly in love. It was wildly exciting – and totally frightening. Love is accompanied by fear that the other person is not going to return your feelings. They’re permanent bedfellows.

Keep your mouth shut.

My mother told me that but I didn’t heed it. I’m always protesting about things the local council is doing.

Human decency is the only truly important thing.

Children are born as blank canvases. That’s why good parenting is vitally important.

I am irritated by the smallest things.

Like a missing cheese grater. It drives me crazy. I am convinced my wife moves different implements to different drawers just to confuse me.

Music is such an important part of life.

My most treasured possession is a grand piano.

Inheritance tax is disgusting.

People who have paid tax all their lives should be able to leave the family home to their children.

I envy those with siblings.

I was an only child so there was no one with whom I could fight.

The British don’t fight enough.

What saddens me is the chronic apathy of people. Nobody can be bothered to do anything.

Great acting is about not making mistakes.

It’s not about being dazzling. That’s why Tom Hanks is one of the greatest. He doesn’t make mistakes.

One should be able to fix things.

It’s a lost art. I can get the boiler to light when it’s stopped working.

Don’t feel guilty about anything.

If you derive pleasure from something you shouldn’t care about what anyone else thinks.