"I met my wife Anne who was a sociology student, and her influence together with activities associated with the student movement of the time opened up my interests amongst other things into the theatre, art, music, politics and philosophy."

"Like many students, I found the drudgery of real experiments and the slowness of progress a complete shock, and at my low points I contemplated other alternative careers including study of the philosophy or sociology of science."

"I think it was this curiosity about the natural world which awoke my early interest in science."

"It was during my time at secondary school that I abandoned religion."

"Joy in the universe, and keen curiosity about it all - that has been my religion."

"Science is spectral analysis. Art is light synthesis."

"I'm more inclined to linger in the science pages of 'The Week' magazine. But my principle obsessions are still watching sitcoms and football."

"My theory is children don't do what you tell them to do, they do what you do. You have to always do the right thing because they follow you."