After getting his first show on Radio 1

All I ever wanted was to work for Radio 1 - it was the realisation of my lifetime's ambition. And now I'm here it's completely crap (1992)

On Dr Who

I'll always be bitter about it because it ruined my marriage ... I can't watch the show without the tears coming (2007)

Feeling charitable

I've discussed it with my accountant, and after tax I'll be able to give away £46m. To have that amount of money is obscene. I'll keep a little for myself, but the rest will go (2000)

Showing Billie Piper film of their first meeting on TFI Friday

That was the exact moment I knew that we would meet, fall in love, get married and get divorced (2005)

To his first Virgin¹ Radio show team, after arriving 105 minutes late for a show

You all seem to get on so much better when I'm not here (2001)

On winning Sony's broadcaster of the year award

How can I be Broadcaster of the Year when I didn't win the Breakfast Show of the Year [too]? It is an insult (1996)

On his manhood, after seeing an anatomical diagram during a visit to his mum in hospital

If that's average then the Ginger² Prince is coming in a poor third (2009)

Interpreting the stats from his period as Radio 1 Breakfast presenter³

We didn't get half a million more listeners. We got 7.5 million new younger, hipper⁴ listeners (1998)

On friendships outside work

On Friday night I'd get home and literally⁵ - and I'm not joking - the phone wouldn't ring until Monday morning. What I did for a while was just go out for a drive on my own (2003)

On his modus operandi

Yes, I get drunk - who doesn't? I can be petulant⁶ and a prima donna. So what? That's why I'm successful. It's called being creative (2003)

To his director, Christopher Howe

That's what I do, you f****ing idiot - I get my jokes from you and put them on the air (1998)

On "retiring unhurt" from drinking

It was a blast. I have no regrets... Now it's someone else's turn. Good luck out there (2009)