Born in Oxford, Margolyes, 73, studied at Cambridge. In 1993 she won a Bafta for her role in Martin Scorsese's film The Age Of Innocence, and more recently she played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films. She stars in Trollied, which starts on Monday on Sky 1 HD. She has homes in London, Italy and Australia. When were you happiest? The first time I went to bed with my partner, in 1968 - we did not get out of bed for a week. What is your greatest fear? Having a stroke. My mother had one and I saw the devastation it caused. What is your earliest memory? Sitting in my pram, sucking my thumb, aged two. A lady said, "You mustn't suck your thumb or a bogeyman will come and cut it off." Which living person do you most admire, and why? Aung San Suu Kyi: she's combined intellectual rigour with grace. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Greed. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Unkindness. What was your most embarrassing moment? Years ago, I was changing my sanitary towel and my father's professional partner walked in. I think he mistook my bedroom for the loo. What do you most dislike about your appearance? My fat tummy. If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose? The apostrophe. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? My vocabulary is vast and expert, and I don't think I overuse any word. What is your most unappealing habit? Picking my ears with a toothpick. What is your favourite word? Bottom. What is the worst thing anyone's said to you? Glenda Jackson called me an amateur in 1976 when we were in a play, The White Devil. I've never forgiven her. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Country and western music. To whom would you most like to say sorry and why? To the Palestinians. Because Jews, who were victims, have made the Palestinians victims. Because I am Jewish, I have to take collective responsibility. What was the best kiss of your life? I had a very good kiss from Bob Monkhouse once. I thought, "If I was straight, I would go for Bob." Which living person do you most despise and why? Tony Blair. He betrayed us all. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Dickens, Elizabeth I, Eileen Atkins, Helena Kennedy, Barry Humphries, Desmond Tutu and Roy Hattersley. What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Losing weight. What is your greatest achievement? Dickens" Women, my one-woman show. What song would you like played at your funeral? One Fine Day from Madam Butterfly. How would you like to be remembered? As a gifted, kindly woman. Where would you most like to be right now? In Italy, at my farmhouse. Tell us a secret I have no secrets. I decided very early on in life that the strongest position was to be completely open.