When I was at school, I was terrible at algebra and arithmetic, but I was always the best at English and literature. And acting, of course.

My mother use to call me 'Miss Perpetual Motion' because I rarely keep still.

I do it because I love acting, I love working, and whether it's radio, television, films, theater, I don't care as long as I can get out there and do it.

Well, it is quite daunting, but I made my first appearance on the stage when I was nine, because I went to a theatrical school, because I wanted to be an actress since I was eight.

I've said no to 'Celebrity Big Brother,' 'Strictly,' and the American one, 'Dancing With The Stars.' I don't feel it's right for me. I've been asked to do reality TV a zillion times. No way. No way. Nobody's going to get into my living room and see me there.

I'm a bit shy, I suppose, and a bit lazy.

I don't use e-mail; I phone and fax. I think people who are hunched over their computer screens all day should get a life.