Home is…
Salford, not Manchester. Contrary to popular belief, Salford is a city in its own right.
Where do you stay in London?
With my great friend Michelle Butterly — she has a little flat off Great Portland Street. You can walk everywhere, and it’s close to Euston for a swift getaway.
Best meal you’ve had?
I have simple tastes: lobster roll and fries at Joe Allen.
Last play you saw?
The Weir at the Donmar; the acting was superb. I’m a big fan of Dervla Kirwan.
Who’s your hero?
Octavia Hill. She was a pioneer of social housing and open spaces for the masses. She saved Parliament Hill Fields from developers and founded the National Trust.
Best place for a first date?
Anywhere with alcohol.
Favourite shops?
Margaret Howell on Fulham Road, because there isn’t one in Manchester. Pokit on Lexington Street — I bought the best pair of jeans I’ve ever owned by Seven Foot Cowboy there. Rigby & Peller on Conduit Street; you can’t beat a good bra. Contemporary Ceramics Centre on Great Russell Street, because it’s my boyfriend Pav’s favourite shop. I’m a sucker for a bit of vintage workwear so I love Levi’s Vintage Clothing on Newburgh Street.
Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?
Years ago, I was leaving an audition in Soho (having embarrassed myself as per usual) and an old man handed me a poem about knowing how great you are. I had a spring in my step for the rest of the day.
Earliest London memory?
I didn’t come to London until I was 20 to audition for drama schools. I remember sitting on the South Bank, looking out over the Thames thinking, ‘I really do have to come here.’
Building you’d most like to buy?
The BT Tower.
What would you do as Mayor?
Bring back Ken Livingstone.
Best place for a nightcap?
Trisha’s on Greek Street.
Last album you bought?
We’re All Normal and We Want Our Freedom: A Tribute to Arthur Lee and Love. My favourite track is Gobblehoof’s ‘Alone Again Or’.
Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
From the actor Michael Culkin: ‘Your career’s made not by what you do but by what you don’t.’
Favourite pub?
The French House in Soho.The first time I went I got chucked out for using my mobile. A couple of years later I ventured back in. It’s full of wonderful characters.
Building you’d most like to be locked in overnight?
The BFI. Hopefully there’d be a projectionist in with me. I’d get a hold of their flipside collection and have a marathon film night.
Biggest extravagance?
I’m Northern — we don’t do extravagance!
At the moment you are...
Filming the second series of The Village and putting the finishing touches to my first play, Beryl, which opens in a couple of days at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, plus learning Hamlet, as I’m playing the lead in Manchester this autumn.
What do you collect?
Anxiety.
Keeping Rosy is released today in Picturehouse cinemas
