MY ANIMAL PASSION

CI grew up surrounded by animals. I was one of four girls and when I was young we had Border collies, a cat, budgies, a fish, hamsters, gerbils, a rabbit and a tortoise, plus a pony!

I’m a big believer in adopting rescue animals. I’m not fussy about breeds

– in fact, I actually prefer mongrels.

I like their temperament as well as the idea of giving a home to a dog who wouldn’t otherwise have one. I know some people are nervous about

When Sam and I met, he’d never owned a dog. He wanted nothing to do with them and thought they’re more trouble than they’re worth. But I already had a dog called Ollie and, within a week, they were absolutely devoted to each other. Now we have five dogs!

I got Ollie when I was in my early twenties. I went to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and picked him out of a litter of puppies. It was a bit stupid really, because I was living in a small flat in London, but he was the best thing that ever happened to me. I absolutely adored him and he filled a dog-shaped hole in my life. He came everywhere with me and visited the sets of Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek more regularly than some of the actors! He also came to the theatre when I was appearing in a show. He was the great dog love of my life, but he died 12 years ago when he was 17.

We only have one pedigree dog.

She’s a Maltese terrier called Fifi that I inherited from my mum when she died. Mum was very specific. She knew Fifi was going to a good home and knew she’d be loved and looked after. The funny thing is, Fifi actually looks a bit like my mum. My mother was a rather pretty woman with a wonderful shock of pale white hair and beautiful eyes, and this little dog looks at me and it’s like Granny Katie. Fifi is devoted to me and that’s a really nice connection with my mum.

A lot of people love animals because they show you unconditional love, but for me it’s the other way round. It is about the joy of loving them. They can’t speak. They’re so vulnerable and when they’re ill it’s agony because they can’t tell you. You know they need you – and you need them, too, and there is something so wonderful about such a simple relationship. If you love animals and are kind to them, they love you back – the transaction is so straightforward.