Welcome to my world: Emma Barton

The show is at Edinburgh Playhouse (www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk, 0844 847 1660) from 18-23 May.

Describe your perfect weekend It would be with my dog Poppy, a Parsons Russell Terrier, and my family, having a roast dinner, going for long walks and a couple of bottles of wine.

What would you do if you ruled the world? Cut the congestion charge in London and encourage everyone to have better manners. I would also like world peace.

What one thing would improve your life? To know that I would always have my health. It's so important and to know you'd never have to see a GP would be great.

Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say? It was from my mum, with a picture of my puppy in her new basket, lying on her back with her legs in the air. It's a dog's life.

What's your guiltiest pleasure? Chocolate, like most girls.

When did you last feel sorry for yourself? Last week when I had a migraine. I wasn't best pleased. I couldn't see out of my left eye and had to lie down while the understudy went on. I was in a darkened room with Ibuprofen and water.

Would your mother be proud of you? Very much. We're like sisters and she loves the fact she can come and see me on stage. My parents are avid EastEnders fans too. There are no plans for me to go back, but I wasn't killed off, so you never know.

Who would you like to say sorry to? Miriam, who is my understudy, who had to be thrown on when I had my migraine. Her brother got to see her. At least she's up and running now.

Who does the cleaning in your house? I do. I'm an obsessive compulsive cleaner and it's therapeutic. I enjoy it.

What's the most you've ever spent on a purchase, apart from a car or property? I bought a dress from Alberta Ferretti for the Baftas, and when I handed the card over I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I've never spent so much money!'. Hopefully if I've got another ball to go to I'll wear it again. It was lovely to have that. I got nine out of ten from Gok Wan in a magazine for it.

What is the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you? Falling over on stage at the RSC in Stratford during Philip Quast's Secret Garden. He was the only other person on stage. I cried when I got off the stage.

What is your earliest memory? Singing into a hairbrush round my nan and grandad's Christmas Tree, singing 'Brown Girl in the Ring'. I was about three or four.

What song is the theme tune to your life? I'm a massive fan of Carry On, slapstick and camp, so any of those theme tunes. Wendy Richards was my second mummy and it was great to work with her and fellow Carry On star Barbara Windsor.

Who would play you in the movie of your life? I don't think it's correct in some respects because she's a lot older than me, but I'd choose Julie Walters. She's amazing and is my role model.

Should you vote? If yes, how did you vote? Yes, with my voting card down at the local polling station.

What worries you in the wee small hours? Not doing all the jobs I had to do during the day; phone calls, bills, emails. I try to write a list and tick it off. It's hard when you're away from home though. When I have no mobile reception I can't cope. I used a red telephone box for the first time for years this morning.

When were you last naked in front of another person? This morning – my poor young dresser. My partner Stephen is in London so no-one else.

When did you lose your virginity? Pass.

Who was your favourite teacher and why? Mr Logan, my history teacher who made the subject fun, I'm really interested in it now. He was inspirational too when he knew I was going into drama.

Who is your fantasy date? My boyfriend Stephen, but if not him, Robert Downey Junior, because he's an amazing actor, good-looking and he has beaten his demons. He was great in The Iron Man, a film I probably wouldn't have gone to see otherwise.

What would you do if you were invisible? It would be fun to have a good old snoop round Buckingham Palace.

What is your most treasured possession? My puppy Poppy.

What do you remember better, your first car or first kiss? I would have to say car. I couldn't wait for the day I could have my first and it was a Nissan Figaro, a 1950s-style bubble car made in Japan. It was very rare and I wish now I had kept her. She only did 60mph tops, and I once drove back from Edinburgh to London in her. I have a Volkswagen Golf now, which isn't so much fun.

If you didn't have your current career, what would you do? I would work for the police force or, since I'm a patron of the Down's Syndrome Association, after my storyline with a Down's baby in EastEnders, I would really like to work for charities like that.

What do you think of celebrity? It's a bit mad, anyone can be a celebrity. I think it should be for the likes of Maggie Smith and Julie Walters and people who do big jobs in public life but it can be any of us now. If I hadn't been in magazines to promote EastEnders, what would have happened to my career? The show is an amazing stepping stone and you can use it in which ever way you like. I shy away from that.

What has been your greatest achievement? Getting the role of Honey in EastEnders. A lot of my friends are actors and I know how many out-of-work ones there are. To get the opportunity to be in the biggest soap and work with such a fantastic crew, the likes of Steve McFadden and Terry Fenwick. I'm a lucky girl.

Do you miss EastEnders? I watch it every week so I don't – and I keep in contact with them all.

Who was your best friend on the programme? Terry and Wendy, they were all really good fun.

Who is your favourite Roxie Hart? Apart from myself, Rene Zellweger. I would love to have seen the original Broadway actresses and Ruthie Henshall.