The AB FAB 63 year old is married to conductor Stephen barlow and has a son Jamie 42.

Who is your greatest inspiration?

The designer Jane Muir. I worked with her as a house model before she became a close friend. She was amazing, utterly meticulous, punctual and hardworking - and she didn't suffer fools. A stunning headmistress sort, really.

What did you love most about the BBC's AB FAB?

Jennifer. Our days were spent crying with laughter.

In what ways - if any - are you similar to Patsy?

When Jennifer said that I am Patsy, I was shocked to the core. But I can see strands of her in me, although Patsy's behaviour is th epolar opposite to mine: I never get drunk, I can't stand it. Patsy adored clothes, whereas if I wear a garment that's younger than 15 years old, I brag about it!

What was your ambition when you were a child?

At 12 I wanted to be a brain surgeon; by 13 I wanted to be Prime Minister.

What's your favourite pertume - and why?

I've tried every scent on the planet, but while they're all gorgeous on other people, they smell like cats pee on me. Apart from Yves Saint Laurent's Rive Gauche, which I've worn for 30 years - I have bottles of it in every pocket and every bag.

If you could change any part of your appearance, wht would it be?

My neck. Its always had two lines across it. At 22 I had my first acting job and someone said, " Her necks awful - my gran's got a nicer neck than her." Whats so silly is I imagined that if my neck were perfect, my whole life would be perfect...

Whats the last book you read and loved?

Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes. Its all about relationships that start in the 60's.Its funny, perceptive and a bit waspish.

Cats or Dogs?

I grew up with cats and dogs - but I can really talk to dogs.

What did you enjoy most about modelling?

I loved how much it made me laugh - you wouldn't believe how silly and absurd it all was.

Your favourite smell?

Something planty: cut grass or lily of the valley. I love natural things so much, I'd quite like to end my days in a treehouse.

Whats your most treasured possession?

My wallet is stuffed with scraps of paper that Jamie scribbled when he was tiny; mementos that Stephen gave me.... I also have a beautiful drawing of my son feeding birds when he was 12, by a man named John Ward.

What was the first thing you noticed about your husband?

Blacked haired scowlingness

Who is your favourite fashion designer?

Betty Jackson. There's something slightly mad about ehr clothes thats rather delightfully surprising.

Which skill are you most proud of?

I consider myself an Olympic car parker. Seriously ... men stop and clap admiringly.

Describe yourself in just three words.

Helpful. Tall. Trustworthy.

Joanna Lumley: Catwomen is on ITV1 6 september at 7pm

Ooh thank you darling, that was fabulous!!
Best answer of all:

Which skill are you most proud of?

I consider myself an Olympic car parker. Seriously ... men stop and clap admiringly.

(although she drives a Smart car so I should imagine parking is quite easy with that )
Kidding

Thanks for this interview Maartje.
I was about to quote the same line!

Haha! Does she still drive Smart by the way? They'r the most ridiculous cars, but they're probably rather practical in a city like London, I should imagine...

What was your ambition when you were a child?

At 12 I wanted to be a brain surgeon; by 13 I wanted to be Prime Minister.

Haha, I'm sure she'd get more votes than Gordon Brown these days.

Many thanks for posting this - lovely interview!

And I didn't realize until the end of the article that the new documentary is on so soon - nice surprise!

The car parking quote is a classic. Being that every country that hosts the Olympics brings in a new sport, perhaps we can sort something out for London 2012!

Short interview and well detailed !
Joanna didn't explain things further, she just told the journalist what she had in mind, and she gave us the highest points.
She's natural when she mentions the fragrance anecdote, what smells she likes, that kind of thing.
I liked reading this document, Thank you !

Thank you very much for sharing this, a gorgeous and funny interview.

I must admit that I've tried to find the perfume Joanna wears though. A scent (especially when it's chosen) tells so much about a person, I really wonder what River Gauche smells like.

Haha, I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has tried to find it!!!

Now I want to find it too

Louise wrote:Haha, I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has tried to find it!!!

So am I darling.