Martin Sheen is my pinup! And Allison Janney, oh my God. They're brilliant actors.

Wyndham's is a beautiful old theatre. The sensation on the stage isn't as different as you might think from the Royal Court.

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

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

I think I always wanted to be an actor - sounds a bit boring, doesn't it? And I pretended once that I wanted to be a vet because one of the teachers asked me and saying you want to be an actor sounds a little bit silly. And I do still feel a bit silly saying it. You feel a bit fraudulent.

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?

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