I've just finished reading a book about the brilliant Margaret Rutherford. She wasn't a beauty, but inside she was absolutely blazing and passionate about her work. She's one of those life-affirming characters.

I am an opera virgin; I'd far prefer to see a musical such as 'Guys and Dolls.

I'm not a natural reader but there are books I'll read and read again.

People say there's a book in everyone but I'm not sure there is. There might be a pamphlet in me.

I like to sing along to Annie Lennox and pretend to be as sassy as her.

I must confess that I'm not a great reader. At the moment I'm reading my son's 'Stig of the Dump' by Clive King and I've got a plant catalogue on the go.

I look back at that time fondly. It's something I never thought I'd get the chance to do, be in a soap. Working with Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden - they're legends in their own lifetimes aren't they?