I think being raised by a single mother put me on the outside, and I would watch my mothers married friends and think, Why does she put him down in public? or, Why is he so rude to her? It seemed to me that there were very few marriages where the couple were genuinely in a supportive, loving partnership.

Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, the higher your profile, the more castable you are in TV dramas.

I am simply not such a slave to my vanity, and I don't want to be, because as you get older you really have to start accepting the inevitable.

I've never felt the need to be defined by a man.

It's a bit of a headache being a perfectionist. You're never satisfied.

I'd like to break some new ground, maybe in TV presenting, rather than just be an actress.

There isn't anything I don't eat, although I'm not too keen on creepy crawly things. Other than that, I'm quite adventurous. I like all types of red meat, and I'm not a fussy eater at all.