A soap is a good gig because you've got solid work and you know the pennies will come in.

[on Dancing on Ice] I had eight weeks of training before I did it and it has really shaped me up. I never lost any weight but I've lost about two inches. It was worth it because now I've got a great bottom. Show less «

I really want to make sure that I can earn a living acting and that I can carry on without having to find another occupation. That's the scary thing, you think "Will it last forever or will bills mean I have to get a proper job?" Show less «

Most men are scared of me. They either think I'm going to kill them or steal all their money. It's as if they can't distinguish me, Gemma, from my evil characters. I was in Sainsbury's recently and a female member of staff refused to serve me. I thought she was joking and tried to get my groceries onto the conveyor belt, but she point-blank refused. I was half-amused and half-annoyed. It's the downside of playing the super-bitch on TV. If people could meet the real Gemma, they would see I'm actually a nice person, and nothing like the Clare characters. Show less «

As a child actress, you're only allowed to earn a certain amount of money. I left just before I was 16, so I never got to see the real money. Wellard the dog earned more than us kids! I enjoyed it but I was intimidated by Ross Kemp. I don't think I spoke to him at all for about the first whole year I was there! Show less «

On my first day on Hollyoaks (1995), Cassie Powney, who played Mel, burst into my dressing room when I was completely naked! I didn't have a chance to cover up. But it's one way of getting to know someone! We're great friends now. Show less «

Before I did Masterchef I couldn't cook anything and I would just be the one who brought the wine to dinner parties but now I can cook. My speciality is monkfish wrapped in pancetta. Show less «

When I'm in Liverpool, I like to party with Hannah Tointon. I go to the Newz Bar and a place called Mosquito. In London, I go to little bars round Kingston. And I like my drum'n'bass raves. We often go out in a mixed group, so men don't tend to approach us. It often keeps the nice guys away as they don't think they stand a chance. But then you get the arrogant ones, who do have the confidence, looking for a one-night stand so they can brag to their mates. But I'm not bothered. I've been single for two years. I do want to get married and have kids one day, but I'm only 24 so there's plenty of time for that. Show less «