HARRIET THORPE

She’s starred in Ab Fab and worked with Victoria Wood, now actress Harriet Thorpe will be back on our screens in BBC sitcom Mr Winner

Harriet, 61, lives with her dog and four cats in London. she has two grown-up children.

toM Ford BLaCK orChId every time I take on a new role in new shows I like the character to have a new perfume, just because it’s fun. I was in Italy doing a Zeffirelli film, playing an opera singer, and I found Paloma Picasso perfume and it was the most amazing smell for that character. the tom ford was probably when I was doing the show Cabaret, and that’s when I became hooked on black orchid.

NUrsErY rhYME Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star – my dad used to sing to my sister [actress matilda thorpe] and me every night at bedtime. this rhyme is beautiful and sad as well.

thE LIoNEss

I adore animals. I love penguins because they’re so funny, giraffes because they’re so elegant but my favourite is the lioness because she’s strong, sorts out the dinner and, most importantly, she runs the world. CharItY worK I am ambassador for several charities, including Zsl [Zoological society of london]. moonWalk breast cancer charity has raised over £160 million. Walking a marathon in your bra with 15,000 others is amazing. What’s the point of being here if we’re not giving back?

JapaN

I’d really like to go to Japan because it seems so extraordinary and culturally sophisticated in so many areas. I love Italy too – it’s where my heart is. It has the most amazing culture, food and beauty. MaC EYELINEr It’s a brilliant black felt tip eyeliner and, because I trained at the royal ballet, I always do the eyeliner with a flick because that’s what ballerinas do.

Now, VoYagEr

This film is about a woman finding her identity – it’s poignant and funny. We always watched old movies on Sunday afternoons. Conservation charity ZSL protects endangered species. Elephants, rhinos and tigers face threats from illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction and climate change. Urgent action is needed to ensure their survival; zsl.org w&h

BaLLEt I trained at the royal ballet school and that’s where I learned to dance. It gives you life skills – you get up and go on. even if things hurt, you keep going.