The first time I met Rhona was when she was presenting Gaytime TV on BBC2. I went on the show and she interviewed me. It was great. Rhona is charming and easy to talk to and she did well on that show because it wasn't an easy format.
After that we became friends. Then I worked with her on her sitcom Rhona, and did an episode called The Fridge. I played a noise-control lady, which was fun because I'm usually cast in heavy things. Comedy is just as hard work, but at least you get some laughs.
It's a cliche to say Rhona is funny, but she is, as well as being incredibly vulnerable. But what I like is the combination of her observational humour and that twinkle in her eye. Rhona has a real spark. You laugh with her as soon as you see her ? not because she's funny-looking! I think you trust her quite a lot when she's performing so you can relax and just go with her, even when she's being outrageous.
It was unfortunate that Rhona got labelled a "gay sitcom". There is not much material out there that has a connection with the gay and lesbian community, so as soon as something does, that's the label that gets attached. But the show wasn't supposed to stand and fall by that alone. Still, I can't wait to see Rhona live. This is her first live tour for five years and I know it's something she loves doing.
