“After cancer my goal is to live a simplified life”

actress aManda dreW, 47, lives in London with her rescue greyhound, peter. Best known as dr May Wright in EastEnders, she’s starring in a new BBC one drama, The Last Post.

I was very shy as a child. For me, acting was all about getting immersed in another character and becoming much more confident than i was in real life.

acting doesn’t run in my family. i got involved in youth theatre when i was 16. two years later, i got a place at east 15 Acting School and moved to London.

Life after EastEnders was a very different experience. Suddenly people would shout my character’s name. i’m still recognised for it ten years later.

every actor strives to avoid being typecast. My EastEnders character was great, but i relished playing something entirely different as Mary in The Last Post. it’s set in the Sixties and is about royal Military Police and their families.

My outlook on life totally changed three years ago when I had cancer. it was womb cancer; i had my womb and ovaries removed, and the menopause followed. i’ve since had the all-clear – and i’m just so grateful to still be alive.

I made some changes to my life after being ill. i stopped doing so much theatre; i want to dwell on myself and explore what it is about me that i like.

I used to be ludicrously cavalier about my health. i was a drinker and smoked 40 cigarettes a day until ten years ago. My cancer isn’t related to lifestyle, but i just want to look after myself now.

For the first time in my life I’m really into gardening. i find it very soothing. Living in the middle of a very busy area, the tranquillity gives me a lot of solace.

I’m terrible at staying in touch and don’t deserve the friends I have. there are wonderful people in my life; i’m so lucky.

the Last Post will be airing on BBC One this month >>