HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR CHARACTER DEVELOPING THIS SERIES?
There’s certainly a lot more comedy - some very funny situations. It’s often black humour, but it helps to give a good contrast to some of the depressing scenes, and lightens some of the dark moments.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING IN BAD GIRLS?
Steady employment! It’s rare in our business. And a chance to develop a character, working with a permanent company which creates a real team effort. There’s a familiarity and a trust with the other actors.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
The brilliant one-liners which the writers seem to find for her in every episode, some of which are becoming catch-phrases. ‘Happiness is door-shaped’, etc. And I love her snobbishness, and the posh voice that she uses for the Governor, or the telephone.

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
Her pessimism –glasses for Sylvia are half-empty, never half-full. Then there’s her laziness, her rigid views, and her taste in clothes!

DO YOU LIKE THE COSTUMES THAT YOUR CHARACTER WEARS? WOULD YOU WEAR THEM OUT?
All the costumes were specially chosen for Sylvia, even the uniform. She wears culottes instead of a skirt, and a tank-top instead of a jersey – both so flattering! The shoes are very carefully chosen, and are nearly worn out with walking, but I won’t have them changed. The wonderful evening dress that she wore for her anniversary party was again, specially designed for Sylvia – everything’s chosen to make her look larger. And no, I would not wear them outside!

HOW DO PEOPLE REACT TO YOU ON THE STREET?
Most people say things like ‘How much smaller you are! How much nicer you are! Oh, you can smile’ and ‘I thought you were North Country, with that accent.’

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR CHARACTER? ANY TRAITS THAT YOU SHARE?
Certainly her impatience. Her world-weary sighs are becoming a part of me, more and more!

WHAT SCENE HAVE YOU MOST ENJOYED OR HATED FILMING SO FAR?
The anniversary party at the end of series two was my favourite scene. Working with Geoffrey Hutchings who plays ‘my’ Bobby was a joy. He learnt the quickstep especially for the scene.

I hated filming the riot scene. It was very complicated, so there were a lot of long, tiring days. And it was very, very noisy – every character was involved, plus some 60 extras and stunt artistes. The set was wrecked, so it looked sordid and disgusting!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW EXTERIOR?
It’s a miracle of set design, just brilliant. We do miss our trips to Oxford though.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREETIME?
I escape to my home in deepest Suffolk. I look after my large garden, and I cook dishes for the freezer so my husband eats whilst I’m filming Bad Girls!

HOW WOULD YOU GET ON WITH YOUR CHARACTER IF YOU MET THEM IN REAL LIFE?
Probably quite well! Sylvia, like me, is quite a home-bird.

WHAT’S THE WORST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
Being ‘off’ in a stage play. I was talking in the wings and I missed my cue. It’s unforgivable to leave other actors improvising, waiting for you to appear.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
Played Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls. To do an American musical was a dream come true, and what a part to play!