Words of the week...

WE English have an incredible inferiority complex where the French are concerned. French women seem so elegant and together. They are so intimidating. – Actress Dame Helen Mirren, describing her own “scruffy English chaos”.

GARY BARLOW is no better than Starbucks, Google and Amazon, all of whom pay as little tax as possible on their huge profits. – Broadcaster Janet Street-Porter on the former Take That singer’s tax avoidance.

I WISH politicians would be open about what is going on in the arts. Theatre, opera, concerts are brain-openers as well as heart-openers. Instead, politicians seem scared to show their faces. – Sir Antonio Pappano, music director of the Royal Opera House.

IF Judy was really ill and in logical mind and at that point where you just need a little push to go over the edge I would do what was right for my wife. – TV’s Richard Madeley who, with his wife Judy Finnigan, has agreed on a suicide pact.

AND I’d do the same. Stuff it all! We’ve made ourselves give each other a pledge along those lines. – Judy Finnigan.

JEREMY PAXMAN has been a whining, cynical, pompous bored and boring scab on the televisual landscape for years. – Former Fleet Street editor Piers Morgan is no fan of the outgoing Newsnight inquisitor.

A CONVEYOR belt has become a cliff! – Football pundit Gary Neville after Rio Ferdinand became the latest big-name player to leave Manchester United.

I DON’T want to see older people on TV. I want to see young, pretty people on TV. – Showbiz veteran Cilla Black, 70, believes ageing stars should retire unless they are especially talented.

IT is possible to live well with dementia and write best-sellers “like wot I do”. – Author Terry Pratchett. HE has more contorted positions than some of the leading sex manuals I could name. – Education Secretary Michael Gove taunts his Labour opposite number Tristram Hunt on his views about free schools.