Inspiring Women : November 2020

Getting Involved in TV
I think drama was always part of my life. At
school I was always involved with the
productions and drama was something that I
looked forward to and loved learning about. In
fact my role as Miranda in Shakespeare's The
Tempest really confirmed that. I really loved
doing musicals but I just wasn’t an allrounder, so
I didn’t pursue it. (But I was in a school
production of West Side Story).
At this time the biggest obstacle that I had to
overcome was really the fact that we didn’t have
the option of a grant having lived abroad for so
many years and we just couldn’t afford the fees
for the UK drama schools. It’s tough getting an
agent when you haven’t been to drama school. I
managed but it was really tough, and
persistence is key!
My drama teacher Heather Hedley helped me so
much with this. She always believed in me and
taught me to never give up. No matter what the
obstacles everyone should always try and make
their dreams come true. Her guidance and
encouragement were incredible.
On the red carpet at the BAFTA’s
However, I did get my first break with QVC, the shopping channel, eventually. What a great year I
had there. It’s a lot harder to present/sell than it looks. I still love shopping on there!
My biggest and most exciting role has to be when I was a presenter for BBC’s Get A New Life which
was helping people relocate and follow their dreams. I loved being a part of such a life-changing
event and helping them achieve it.
I have worked alongside many famous
people at BAFTA through their events
and also had the pleasure of being in
a TV series with Emma Thompson and
Ken Branagh called Fortunes of War. In
fact, that was where they met and fell
in love when they were filming in
Greece. I was just a young student
and I remember thinking, wow, this is
what I want to do always!
My time with BAFTA was, for sure, the
most interesting period of my career.
The hallowed walls of this great British
institution located in Piccadilly could
tell a tale or two. I just loved walking
through the corridors and meeting
and greeting members and guests. It
was a privilege to work there.
11