I was one of those whose school report would always say, 'Could pay more attention.' I spent my time trying to be the centre of attention or the class joker instead of knuckling down. Far from the perfect student.

I worked in a paper factory the week after I left school. I had loads of paper cuts all over my hands and the pay was dreadful. On my third day I was like, 'Can I leave early? I've got an audition for Coronation Street.' They said yes and I never went back.

I'm far from perfect, but I don't think I'm ugly.

I love standing under a steaming shower when I'm tired in the morning. I don't really get a chance for baths.

I talk too much when I'm nervous.

I'm a car freak, I never usually have one for more than a year before I change it.

I try to look on the sunny side of life. If something dramatic happens to me, I always try to recount it as a comedy tale, rather than a victim's story.