Ex-Hollyoaks actressstars in stage thriller

We spoke to Terri ahead of the play’s run atBuxton Opera House in January:

Q. You’ve had a varied career from modelling and acting to presenting and reviewing newspapers, which role are you most passionate about?

A. I’ve been really lucky to enjoy all of those jobs and the moment I haven’t, I’ve changed direction. I came back to acting this time because I was missing it. I’m older now and I’ve got a different perspective on life compared to my time in Hollyoaks – I feel that I bring a different maturity to my performances now.

Q. You joined Hollyoaks in 1996, playing the character of Ruth Osbourne, do you have fond memories of that period?

A. Fond memories doesn’t do it justice, I made life-long friends, I’m godmother to Kerrie Benson’s daughter, who played Lucy Taylor. I’ve got an awful lot to thank Hollyoaks for, it was my first taste of telly and I cut my teeth there.

Q. Did you foresee that Hollyoaks would be running 20 years later?

A. No, we didn’t know if the soap would get a recommission, let alone keep our jobs. Because of that everything was on the line and I think that’s why we cultivated such deep and meaningful relationships. We were all in it together, wanting it to be a success for Phil Redmond (who also created Grange Hill and Brookside) as he gave us our first opportunity, plus we were all having such a great time – we didn’t want it to end.

Q. Which were your favourite storylines?

A. The lesbian storyline was handled in a very sensitive way; I liked the bus explosion story and some of the scenes where we were just together having fun.

Q. You play Margot in Dial M For Murder, tell us about your character?

A. She’s a lot softer than I am. She loves her husband who is really a selfish little boy; around the time she is having the affair with Max, he is really neglecting her. When he finds out about the affair he starts to become the husband she has always wanted. Unbeknown to her there’s a more sinister plan afoot.

Q. Have you drawn inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s film adaptation for which the title is most well-known?

A. I have watched the film again recently for this play – it gave me an indication of the relationships Margot’s forged and why. But that’s the only inspiration I’ve taken. There’s no point trying to be Grace Kelly, she was portraying that role

in the fifties and our techniques as actors are very different now.

l Dial M For Murder runs from January 12 to 15. Tickets are priced £14 to £18, call 01298 72190 or visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk