Tamzin Outhwaite

“I became a spokeswoman for Future Friendly - a partnership between sustainability experts and household brands trying to inspire people to save water, energy, and packaging.”

“If I don't do a bit of theatre at least once a year, I feel depleted and starved.”

“Sometimes it's more tiring being at home with your child than it is being at work! But I thrive on variety, so if you can get a good balance in your life, then I think that's the key.”

“I love going into junk shops, picking up something that looks like it's got a bit of history to it, then sanding it down and reviving it.”

“I would have done anything to keep my family together, but it wasn't to be. I do feel pretty strong.”

“I had a Saturday job in Barratts shoe shop at the age of 15.”

“People seem surprised by what a giggly mess I can become.”

“So many people are focused on reaching the top of an imaginary ladder that they don't enjoy the climb.”

“My default-setting Italian recipes that I always fall back on are the ones that we had as kids, like spaghetti vongole, which is tomato and clams with spaghetti.”

“A stable and happy mum leads to stable and happy kids. It all has a knock-on effect.”

“If there is a snobbery, then they haven't been on set to see how a show like 'EastEnders' works. Because I know for a fact that some of my favourite actors are still not capable of doing what these guys do.”

“My favourite view is just up the road from my house where, if you look one way, you can see Alexandra Palace, and if you turn the other, you get a panoramic view of the whole of London, including the Gherkin and Canary Wharf.”

“I've been to three different islands in the Maldives, and the Caribbean was relaxing, although my holidays are always peppered with some sport, sightseeing, or diving.”

“The idea of going back to school and revising for exams would be hellish. As an actor, my form of revising is learning scenes, but to start going through biology, chemistry, and all of those sciences would be just a nightmare.”

“While the kids are little, I want to maintain a job, keep a roof over their heads, and make them proud. I want them to have good female role models in their life.”

“Everyone talks about 40 like it's massive, but I looked at Joanna Lumley at the Ab Fab premiere the other day, and she looks amazing at 70 - that's 30 years older than 40, which sounds ridiculous. The number doesn't matter; it's what's going on for you.”

“I always thought if I wasn't an actor, I might make quite a good detective - mainly because I'm nosey.”

“Tips-wise, I'd say drink as much water as possible, and I always think if you can do half an hour of exercise every day or, at least, get your heart rate up for half an hour every day, even if it's a power walk, it's good.”

“Emotions interest me, and I'm fascinated by how a child's mind works.”

“I did suffer from sciatica, which was one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. Lots of women love being pregnant and say they feel really womanly, but I felt really ungraceful and struggled a bit with that!”