To have been regularly working for two years has been great. You have money coming in, and security. But I never wanted to get used to it. That's not an actor's life.

Most actors say the best parts to play are the baddies and Cathy is so interesting because she's not one-dimensional. She cries one minute. then bullies and manipulates, so as an actor it's like playing lots of different roles. People love to hate her!

[on IVF] I have never experienced anything more painful, because it's there all the time. In the street you feel you are looking at pregnant women or children and you feel isolated and some sort of freak because everyone else seems to be able to conceive. I got very angry at one point. I would see people pushing buggies and think: 'Why you and not me?' I'd get jealous of women who had had miscarriages, thinking: 'At least you have been pregnant.' It's completely irrational.

[on fame] I went to buy some shoes in Selfridges and the assistant saw my face, went: 'Oh my God' and ran off. She never came back. I've noticed that people do give me a wide berth, but that suits me fine because I'm quite a private person.

I always seem to play cops, lawyers or prostitutes. Always ladies of a certain profession.

Cathy is ill and makes things up for attention. I worked for The Samaritans for two years before I started at The Bill, which has helped me understand her. She's not just evil, it comes from loneliness.

I'd always wanted to be an actress. Going into acting was unheard of in my school, so the careers officer told me to be realistic. But if you really want something you never give up on it.