Interview: Actress Lenora Crichlow

Published on Friday 29 January 2010 14:36

LENORA CRICHLOW stars alongside Dervla Kirwan in Material Girl. She plays an up and coming designer in the British equivalent of Ugly Betty. She also plays a ghost who shares a flat with a vampire and a werewolf in the new series of Being Human. Materi

Describe your perfect weekend

That would be on a beach somewhere really hot, probably Hawaii, and it would consist of sunbathing, getting too hot, going in the sea and drying off in the sun – all weekend.

What would you do if you ruled the world?

I would try my very best to end poverty by employing really smart people to help me.

What one thing would improve your life?

If I bought my own house. I rent at the moment and share with four people.

Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say?

It was from a mate of mine, saying how much he enjoyed Being Human – he'd just watched it on iPlayer.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

America's Next Top Model.

When did you last feel sorry for yourself?

Yesterday evening, before I went to the gym. I had done a live TV interview and when I came home found my mum had recorded it. I watched it and I thought I looked terrible so had to go to the gym. It was a split second of feeling awful, which I'm completely over now.

What do you wish you had never done?

I don't really have any regrets – I believe everything happens for a reason.

Would your mother be proud of you?

Yes, she's very proud of me. She's like my publicist. People know what I'm doing all the time – I don't need Facebook or anything.

Who would you like to say sorry to?

My brother and sister, for any insecurity I have I talk out to them rather than with them. They both work incredibly hard and don't get picked up and have their hair and make-up done for them, but they let me whinge and moan and groan when actually my life is incredible and I feel very blessed most of the time. I don't know how they put up with me.

Who does the cleaning in your house?

Everyone chips in.

On what purchase have you spent most, apart from a car or a property?

On plane tickets for my brother and sister – if I go away I usually bring them out to where I am.

What's the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?

Thinking someone was asking me for an autograph when they were just asking for the time. It happened to me in a supermarket – I had already been asked for my autograph twice and I was all in a fluster, so I was like, "Yeah, yeah, sure…" and they said, "Um, do you have the time?" I was appropriately embarrassed.

What is your earliest memory?

Playing with my dolls. It was probably the actor in me, but they were always involved in very dramatic and hard-hitting storylines.

What song is the theme tune to your life?

Aretha Franklin's Say a Little Prayer.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

My little sister. She's an actress as well.

Should you vote and, if so, how do you vote?

You should vote, definitely, and I vote Labour.

What worries you in the wee small hours?

Scenes – always the night before a big scene I can't stop thinking about it.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

My mother – she's actually a teacher and she has always been incredible. In the early days of school I found spelling and reading really difficult, and she was brilliant, so patient.

Who is your fantasy date? Either Russell Tovey or Aidan Turner of Being Human, because they're brilliant and make me laugh.

What would you do if you were invisible?

I'd probably sit with people I knew while they watched my work to see what they really think of it. That would be intriguing.

What is your most treasured possession?

My Ugg boots, because I do so much walking.

What do you remember better, your first car or your first kiss?

My first car – I spent more time in it, and it got me to my first kiss.

If you didn't have your current career, what would you be doing?

Teaching acting. I've always thought drama was incredibly therapeutic and important in self-development. So I'd probably be trying to use it in a way to better people's understanding of themselves, because it has helped me so much.

What do you think of celebrity?

Not much. However, it's lovely being recognised.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Just being a good person, which is really boring, but I'm happy. And when I'm happy, I'm able to be there for people.

&#149 This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday, January 31, 2010