Debra Stephenson

As a mum of two myself, I know how important it is to encourage your kids to get involved in a variety of different skills as they grow up.

It's quite different to do a vocal performance, opposed to a performance where you are seen, because in some ways, you don't need to worry about what you look like - you don't have to sit in a makeup chair for a long time!

In the normal world, the residents of Scream Street would not be welcome - they would be seen as freaks and ghouls, so it wouldn't be OK for them to be there. Scream Street is a haven for them; it's their own little place where they can be safe.

I like shopping, but I don't often get a chance to go, so I end up buying clothes from shoots I work on.

I'm a hoarder.

I don't spend a lot on clothes.

I'll buy half the wardrobe after 'The Impressions Show' has finished - I know it fits and looks good, because I'm impersonating people such as Angelina Jolie.

I used to do cabaret as a kid and always wanted to pick it up again.

I'm an old-fashioned girl, and as a kid, I used to go on holidays to Scarborough.

Being on 'Corrie' is the best job I've ever had; leaving is going to break my heart.

I love glamour.

Bourjois make-up comes in amazing colours, and it's great value.

I've used Dermalogica skin care for years, ever since a friend who works in a spa told me it was better than anything you can get from a beauty counter. I've tried switching to other products, but my skin doesn't feel as good.

You lose yourself when you first become a mum. It's easy to let yourself go.

I've always seen the best in people.

I put weight on easily if I eat too much and don't exercise. When I went on my honeymoon in 1999, I put on a stone in three weeks!

Experiencing lots of different things is what being a kid is all about, and it helps make the most of their childhood.

I just love performing.

I'd love to be an old actress and still be in a soap.

I admire the older ladies who carry on working. Look at Betty Driver on 'Coronation Street' - she's incredible.

I want my children to have fantastic memories of their growing years, so I try to be as much a part of their lives as possible.

Family time is the best gift for kids, and often it's the simplest things that make the best moments.

My favourite memory was the first time my mum bought me a bubble blower. I must have been the happiest girl in the world that day. I was all over those bubbles like a moth to a flame.

My view is that homeopathy is what you can do before you go to a doctor, not instead of going to a doctor, and it's a way of being positive and pro-active about health.

I've always been a fan of 'Coronation Street,' and the chance to work on it was just too good to miss, but it meant a great upheaval for my family.

It sounds a bit cheesy saying 'Coronation Street' is like one big happy family, but there is a real aspect of that.

I've got no brothers or sisters, so it's really important for me to have friends who I've known for years that I really know I can trust and rely on.

I feel I need to have people outside of show business who keep me grounded and define who I am.

When I did 'Opportunity Knocks' at 14, it was singing in other people's voices. So I'm more comfortable doing that.

If I feel like I need comfort food, I'll have a bowl of porridge with honey, and instead of a sweet sugar fix, I'll eat a probiotic yogurt.

I'm a married woman, so I'm not bothered what other men think of me - but I still want James to fancy me.

They say behind every great man is a great woman, but I think it works the other way round as well.

There was always comical aspects of everything I've done, 'Playing The Field' again, I played a comical character even though it was a drama - I like the light and shade.

I like to keep things moving; when I say moving, I mean different. I like to keep things changing in my life all the time, so sometimes it might be drama; sometimes it might be drama. At some point, I might get the chance to do something musical.

If I could do a sort of comical musical, that would be everything!

I left 'Coronation Street' so I could spend more time with the kids because it was difficult getting a work life balance.

Acting and performing is part of who I am.

When I was a child, I did singing and dancing and drama and impressions.

I used to go to auditions, mainly for talent competitions like 'Opportunity Knocks.'

On Saturday morning, I like to get up early and go out - TV is banned!

Sunday nights are my favourite.

It's important to do what's right for you. Some people who have a healthy diet and exercise regularly will always be a size 14 because that is right for them. It's about being fit and healthy rather than being a perfect 10.

I've got a bread maker, so sometimes I make my own. That's what's lovely about not working full-time: I can bake bread.

One-legged squats are amazing for the glutes, so I've actually managed to change the shape of my bum by building up the bits of muscle.

Sexy? Me? I'm too shy.

I love the idea of the Swinging Sixties in London.

I love being educated by historical novels.

My husband is the love of my life.

I do have the tan done now and again. I go for something called a Fantasy Tan.

If I ever get chatted up, I never realise it. I just think men are being friendly.