I've been taught always be nice to the lighting people - they're the people you make friends with straight away so that's what I do.

Time management is really important.

I'm not one of those people who escapes to the countryside at weekends.

I have no medical knowledge whatsoever so playing a surgeon on 'Holby' has been a real eye opener!

I always try to be healthy - brown rice, brown pasta.

Sometimes I'll put on a Zig Ziglar tape: he's a motivational speaker who is really funny and really American. I know I should do the things he says, but I'm too cynical.

My mum, who comes from Goa, wanted us to develop our minds when we were kids, so she used to turn the electricity off at weekends so we couldn't sit watching the telly.

Being in your 30s is about discovering yourself and your body and enjoying who you are.

I usually switch off my phone. I can't bear it; obviously I'm not a very social person like that.

I'm careful about what I eat, but I do allow myself cheat days.

Yeah, I love shopping and clothes but I don't live to shop.

A lot of mums are torn between their work and missing out on important milestones in their children's lives.

My style is all over the place. It goes by my mood, but on a day-to-day basis it's relaxed and comfortable, just jeans and T-shirts and no heels unless I'm going to a meeting.

I come from a background where bigger women are appreciated. After all, you can't belly dance with a flat stomach, so my ideal body would be curvy, womanly and voluptuous.

'Primeval' is very similar to 'Footballers' Wives' - it's pure fantasy.

There is no other parent for Inez. When I was working, I never got to hear about her day or chat about what she was learning or do any reading with her because by the time I got home my nanny had put her to bed.

I'm half Moroccan and half Indian so I have quite an adventurous taste in food.

I always base my characters around Miss Piggy - she's my idol!

I come from a working class family. We barely had anything.

If I'm going to a party, I dance for as long as possible to burn the calories - the jive is great because you're on your toes a lot so it works your calves, thighs and bum.

I've got a varied taste in films. I love a good horror movie - the first few 'Saw' films for example - but I also like comedies.

Because I'm not a spy in 'Spooks' and I'm not in every day I'm able to do other things, which is great fun because it breaks it all up for me and I get some time to spend with my daughter.

I'm on my own so I do everything. I think with any mum, guilt is a major factor. You feel guilty dropping your kid off at nursery and going off to work all day. It's so tough to juggle everything, to get it right all the time.

I'm the sole provider for my child, I don't get any help. I'm not saying we're poverty stricken, but it does mean I have to work hard.

I eat little meals throughout the day rather than one huge one that makes you feel stuffed.

I did 'Footballer's Wives' for two-and-a-half seasons and I asked to be written out.

Men huddle in a corner and talk about me, rather than walking up to me and chatting me up.

I'd watched the first couple of series, dipped in and out of it, but I think everyone's a fan of 'Spooks' even if they don't watch it all the time.

I was brought up a Muslim and I respect the religion I was born into, but I don't practise it. However, I do believe in thanking God for my happy life.

The make-up on 'Footballers' Wives' is unbelievable - there's loads of fake tan.

I love Louboutins and Jimmy Choos, but I've got pairs I've never worn, because I'm still waiting to find the outfit that will go with them.

I'm a single parent and it just wouldn't have been possible for me to carry on in 'Primeval' once filming of the show switched to Dublin for ten months.

I get really bad road rage, and if my daughter is in the car I have to bite my lip and try not to swear.

I love salad, but I have to have something 'solid' with it because I don't feel satisfied without carbs.

My social life's moved up a few notches since moving back to London from Surrey because I'm near friends and family again and I'm really enjoying it.

I've got a Moroccan shape, where the weight goes on around the belly and the bum.

My background's Arab and I'm quite fiery, stubborn and used to shouting and expressing myself quite loudly, and Inez and I have our little fall-outs as mum and daughters do.

I am not a country girl at all. I tried the whole country dream and it didn't work for me. I need the madness and pandemonium of a city around me.

I think women are so much more interesting and sexy in their 30s and 40s.

I've always wanted to adopt.

I hadn't planned to have kids, I didn't even know I was pregnant until four months in.

I'm not in a rush to walk down the aisle.

When somebody openly talks about having depression, it's a very brave thing to do.

I come from a big family and I was never completely on my own.

I wouldn't say I am practicing Muslim - I don't go to the mosque or anything, but it's part of my identity.

I find that a small sacrifice such as switching off my phone and blocking out work helps me stay balanced.

I sometimes meditate.

My biggest financial fear is dying and not leaving enough to see my daughter through to adulthood and financial independence.

When I had my daughter and split up with her father six months later, I had a really hard time.

As a single parent, it can really be tough if the father's not in the picture much. Physically, emotionally and financially, you are trying to be there for your child and it can really get on top of you.