The audience have to like this guy before they can go with his story. So I made 'Now is the winter of our discontent' like a stand-up comedy routine. In the language, there's a rapport between the character and the audience, which I played on." Things have not always gone smoothly for Lindsay. After the first night of Richard III, he launched into an intemperate attack on critics - which he now regrets. "You see the critics' backs disappearing towards the exit during the curtain-call and think, 'you bastards'. That first night was a nightmare, so I got up in a mood the next morning and gave it to an interviewer with both barrels. My dad rang up and said, 'Why didn't you just shut up?'" Lindsay has also been touchy about his private life since he was monstered in the tabloids over the ending of two high-profile relationships.

He subsequently turned down the title role in Cracker because he didn't want the press attention. Fortunately, over the past couple of decades Lindsay has still managed to clock up some of the finest television that money can buy - GBH, Jake's Progress and Citizen Smith, in the part that first made a star of the young Rada graduate in 1977. All these roles have capitalised on Lindsay unquenchable, manic vitality. There are few actors better at playing Men on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Even during our interview, he is overflowing with nervy energy, forever leaping up to act out an anecdote. He reckons that "we're all on that brink sometimes". But, when all's said and done, perhaps it is this role in Oliver Twist - an intoxicating mix of the alluring and the alarming - for which Lindsay will be best remembered. He certainly seems to think so: in pride of place either side of his loo at home are two portraits of him as Fagin. 'Oliver Twist' continues on Sunday at 9pm on ITV. Charlotte Church, 13, went from being an unknown chorister, to one of the best-selling singers in the world.

Paul Burger, the head of Sony, signed her on the spot after she performed an impromptu version of "Pie Jesu" in his office. Her first album, Voice Of An Angel, sold more than two million copies world-wide. Her new single, "Just Wave Hello", is out on 13 December and is the first release from her new album, Charlotte Church (Sony Classical). William Hill has given her odds of 12/1 for a Christmas number one single.

Charlotte Church, 13, went from being an unknown chorister, to one of the best-selling singers in the world. Paul Burger, the head of Sony, signed her on the spot after she performed an impromptu version of "Pie Jesu" in his office. Her first album, Voice Of An Angel, sold more than two million copies world-wide. Her new single, "Just Wave Hello", is out on 13 December and is the first release from her new album, Charlotte Church (Sony Classical). William Hill has given her odds of 12/1 for a Christmas number one single. She will be appearing on TV shows over Christmas, including Heartbeat and The Royal Variety Show.

Charlotte lives with her parents in Llandaff, Wales. Do you ever get stage fright? Jean Williams, Edinburgh No, never. I get very, very excited before a big concert but I don't actually get nervous. I was slightly nervous when I met President Clinton, but more excited and baffled really. He just said to me: "I believe you are singing my favourite song, 'Amazing Grace'." Meeting the Pope was very exciting I got nervous because he's the Pope He's not like a normal person because he's holy. The Queen was really really lovely, although Prince Philip is my favourite royal. He seems to be the most down to earth of them all, and the nicest.