I think it's so important as an actor that you hang on to your own inner compass, because so many people want to guide you - 'This is what you should you be doing'. But I want to do different things.

'Bionic Woman' really enriched my career. It was a big, amazing thing to do.

When I left EastEnders, I could have earned an absolute fortune from sexy calendars, shoots for lads' mags, fitness videos and reality shows. But I always turned them down.

When you fight on set, you try to not hurt anybody.

For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished, it's like an ex-boyfriend: you don't go back to them.

I was bullied. I was a bit of a geek. Good-looking guys were off-limits. I didn't start dating until I was 18.

Soaps are a great springboard for any actor but if you want to be taken seriously, you have to be careful.