'Life is like a jigsaw where sometimes pieces don't fit and other times they do'

 

When I was seven ...

I was run over by a car. A friend had been at our house and mum noticed she was at the wrong bus stop. She asked me to tell her. As I crossed the road a car came from behind a bus and went over me. From that day I've been cautious. As my mum would say: "Best to be 10 minutes late in this world, than five minutes early in the next".

The first time my heart was broken ...

I was at the youth club when I discovered the boy I was going out with was going out with someone else. I got over it by the next day.

The wisest thing my grandmother told me ...

To always start the day with a smile and be able to laugh at yourself. She also taught me manners.

The biggest adversity I have overcome ...

I believe in the lessons of life. Some things are mapped out for us. By that I don't mean that you wait for things to happen, but it's interesting the way our lives are like a jigsaw where sometimes the pieces don't fit – and other times they do. Never forget how precious life is or your loved ones. When my daughter, Aisha, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, the only thing to do was get on with things. I'm superstitious about illness, as you never know if it can come back, but Aisha is doing well.

My motto is ...

To grab life with two hands. If someone is feeling down I tell them to make a list of all the positive and negative things in life. Generally, the good does outweigh the bad.

My soul mate is ...

There have been a few. I'm still looking for another one.

Not many people know that ...

I love Liverpool FC. My dad used to take me to games because he was a shareholder at Everton. When I came down to London, I realised that Liverpool FC was my team.

If ever I feel lonely ...

I don't tend to get lonely as there are so many things to do. I have a grandson who is adorable and another grandchild due this week. The marvellous thing about having grandchildren is that they open your eyes again. It's such a gift.

What I look for in a friend is ...

A sense of humour, kindness and loyalty.

The person I ring first when I'm upset is ...

It would depend on what the problem was. Isn't that the joy of having friends of all ages?

I believe the secret to a strong relationship is ...

Having your own life. You can't live your life for someone else. It is important to work at a relationship.

Something I wish I'd done earlier ...

There isn't anything. There are things I wish had worked out another way but I don't have regrets.

My all-time favourite YouTube clip ...

I'm hopeless with computers. I do emails and look things up on Google, but that's about it.

My childhood hero was ...

Buster Keaton. I loved silent film and watching him was fantastic.

The place I most like to call home ...

Wherever my loved ones are.

Rita Tushingham stars in Outside Bet in cinemas from tomorrow and the Paul Ferris biopic, The Wee Man, from August