As a child, I loved being onstage. I loved singing, I loved the lights, I loved the adrenaline. I even loved learning lines. I was completely obsessive.

I was also given more unusual things to do - like I become a cat in one scene! I loved that, because I have two cats at home.

I'm not going to school just for the academics - I wanted to share ideas, to be around people who are passionate about learning.

I was a normal, rather dutiful child. I didn't even rebel as a teenager.

I always have several books on the go at any one moment, so it's no good you asking 'What's on the bedside table at the moment, Emma?' because often I can't even see the table!

Lines are very difficult to learn.