Hugh Laurie planned to kill himself before he turned 40. The "House" actor - who celebrates his 50th birthday in a few weeks time - and his school friends made a pact to take their own lives because they thought they would have achieved everything by that age.

He said: "I remember I made a pact with some friends when we were 18 that we'd kill ourselves before we got to 40. It just seemed such a ludicrously distant prospect. I think I'd say that you'll never think you know more or feel more acutely or have any clearer an insight into existence than you do right now."