Acting has been very useful to me.

I don't agree with the whole 'my mother's my friend' approach, because you're their mum and there has to be a difference between the generations.

I was always very determined, as was my husband, that we wouldn't let any of our children act when they were young.

I learned basic cookery from my mom, taught myself cake techniques and then got fed up with my own cakes not looking as good as the ones in the shops.

I swim more or less every day.

I try to be classic without being mumsy.

I learnt basic cookery by watching my mum.