Interview: Lyndsey Marshal, actor

Some quick-fire questions with what matters to the actress, currently starring in Garrow’s Law on BBC1

Who would attend your fantasy dinner party?

Bob Marley would have to be there, as well as Haruki Murakami, Björk, Francis Bacon, Amy Winehouse, Josephine Baker, dramatist Caryl Churchill, Eric Morecambe, Cleopatra, dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch, Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone and Homer.

Whom did you last text and what was the message?

I can’t say!

It’s not cool but …

I love a Big Mac.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Don’t Panic” and “Do not be afraid”.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

I worked in The Slug and Lettuce in Leicester Square for a whole two weeks. I can honestly say I hated every single second of it.

Who is your favourite fictional character?

Madame Bovary. Sarah Lund is pretty high on the list too.

What are you afraid of?

Spiders, bugs, most things smaller than a small dog with more legs than me.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

Tits Tribiani all through drama school! Bizarre.

What situations make you lose your temper?

Mean people and ungenerous drivers.

What would your alternate profession be?

I’d love to be really good at something. Maybe a builder and architect. Failing that, a racing car driver.

What food or drink is always in your fridge?

I’m a Waitrose whore. We always have lemons, onions, garlic, oil and chillies. Also, Heston Blumenthal’s salted caramel popcorn ice-cream.

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?

I’d love to be a bit taller. And more intelligent.

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

Athens 458 BC to the Festival of Dionysus with a large flask of ruby wine.

Saturday night or Sunday morning?

Sunday morning – coffee, clean house, papers and a Japanese breakfast.

Who or what is the love of your life?

Sid, toasted marshmallows and the theatre.

• Lyndsey Marshal stars in Garrow’s Law on BBC1, 9pm on Sundays.