‘2 October. Long, difficult day. The scene is designed around a lighting effect. I rest my case.’

Once you navigate the moral, voyeuristic dilemma of reading someone else’s diary (were these thoughts supposed to be absorbed by the public?) then a divine enjoyment of the book will take over. Alan Rickman was sharp yet blunt, and unutterably hilarious.

Every page is a testament to his humour, wit and actorly angst.

31 July. 7am pick-up. Tired, tense, enclosed. Snape-like. Not particularly useful to a joyous atmosphere on the set.

Avid film fans and movie buffs will adore every walk-on from stars and directors and producers and photographers.

Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries was published by Canongate Books. My copy was kindly sent to me (on my request) to review.