Woman interview

Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye may have won Dancing On Ice, but it’s another spangly show that has her attention these days...

Gaynor Faye

Life might not be a bed of roses for her Emmerdale character, but actress Gaynor Faye admits the more misery she endures on screen, the happier she gets. ‘Bring on the drama, for sure!’ she smiles. ‘For any actors it’s great to play – it’s what we all crave.’ There’s certainly plenty of that coming up, as Gaynor’s character megan macey loses her baby daughter Eliza. Rushing off to a business meeting, she accidentally forgets she’s left her in the car and when she returns she’s shocked to find Eliza missing. Gaynor has played tough-talking businesswoman megan for five years. Prior to that she enjoyed success in shows as varied as Coronation Street, Fat

Friends and Playing The Field. The 45-year-old actress, who won 2006’s Dancing On Ice, is the daughter of acclaimed scriptwriter and director Kay mellor. She lives in Leeds with her partner and two children oliver, 16, and Lily, 13. She talks to us about

Strictly, sex scenes and watching TV in the bath!

'my broody days are long gone. I love working on set with Kyrena who plays my screen daughter Eliza – she’s a little poppet – but I’m so glad my own children are older now. They’re teenagers, very independent and they do their own thing. They make me laugh, they’re great company and I don’t have to get them up in the morning. Lily, my daughter, even makes me cakes and cooks pasta when I come home. I have been so lucky with them. Obviously I have moments where I rant at them – ‘I can’t believe you did that!’ But actually they’ve caused me no problems or worries. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way. I give them a lot of space, don’t smother them in cotton wool and give them a lot of trust and in return I get it back. My own parents were really liberal too, but I was the type who came in through the unlocked patio doors at 3am. My parents don’t know the half of what I got up to when I was a teenager – I was terrible!’

‘my mum is my inspiration and I have so

much respect for her. She got married at 16 and my dad was the breadwinner. She wasn’t handed anything on a plate and she’s achieved all her success herself. She’s currently putting on Fat Friends: The Musical. I know she’s a brilliant writer and I’m always in awe of that, but when I saw the musical I thought – can she get any more talented? I was so proud. She manages to be a mum, an executive producer, run her own company and write. She’s extremely loyal and her grandchildren adore her. She’s a hard act to follow. If I can be a tenth of what she is I’ll be lucky.’

‘Buddhism is a really wonderful way to keep yourself buoyant in this crazy world.

I’ve been practising since I was 21, but my practise is stronger than ever right now. I chant both morning and evening. With what

is going on in the world with Brexit and Trump, I’m trying to keep myself, my friends and loved ones happy. I can’t change the world, so all I can do is hope the way I am affects the people around me, and the way they behave affects the people around them, and that it has a ripple effect. As well as chanting at home, I go to weekly meetings. We have discussion groups and on the first Sunday of every month we chant for world peace for an hour.’

‘my favourite pastime is wine and a bit of TV in the bath before I go to bed.

I used to watch TV in bed, but it’s not good for sleep and I’ve turned into an insomniac recently. It’s a big problem at the moment and I think it’s screen stimulation. I’ve been writing at my computer in the evenings a lot over the past six months and it probably is to do with that.’

‘It’s not easy to work closely with somebody you don’t get on with. I have in the past, I

won’t say who! Luckily Michael Praed, who plays my screen partner Frank, is a dream. I didn’t actually realise he was this big 1980s heart-throb as Robin Hood when we were paired together, but he’s nothing like you would imagine. He’s funny and has a potty mouth and is full of stories – there’s never a quiet moment when he’s around. If he’s not telling an anecdote, he’s singing Rat Pack songs – he’s got an effervescent personality.’

‘In the past I’ve done quite a few bedroom scenes, but the script has to

warrant it. I’m not somebody who would take my clothes off for a salacious sex scene. I did a scene in Emmerdale where I came into the factory with a mac on and was naked underneath. That took a bit of guts and a lot of work with the costume department! I had very little on, but on screen they just showed a bit of shoulder. The crew saw more than the viewers did! I love exercise that is harmonic – body, mind and soul – rather than pumping iron. I enjoy walking in the fresh air, swimming and yoga. I’m not particularly a gym bunny. However, having just looked at myself with my clothes off, I might have to re-think that one! The shape is there, it’s just that the wobbly bits are starting to wobble a little bit more. That comes from sitting down and writing so much.’

‘Like everybody, I see all my worst bits. People say, ‘I can’t believe you’re saying that about yourself,’ but we all do it.

I hate ageing and the acting business is terrible, because you actually witness yourself ageing on screen. I can look at an episode from a year ago and go, ‘Oh my goodness!’ because I can see a new line here and a line there. It’s the worst business for anyone who has any selfconsciousness issues. As a teenager, I was very thin and had to wear leggings under my trousers to make my legs look bigger. Those days are definitely gone! Now I have to wear lots of Lycra to pull it all in! But there are more serious things to worry about. As long as you are happy and healthy, that’s the main thing.’

‘when I watch Strictly Come Dancing,

I get green eyes. I’d love to appear on it, but having done the first series of Dancing

On Ice, I’m not sure it’s an option. I love dancing and I’m always the first up on a dancefloor on a night out. I’d rather be dancing than drinking in the bar. I don’t ice skate any more. In fact, I went to an ice rink last Christmas and actually heard someone say, ‘Did she really win Dancing

On Ice?’ I was all over the place! My skates are rusting in the garage now!’

✱ Emmerdale is on ITV1, mon, Tues, wed and Fri, 7pm, and Thurs 7pm & 8pm

‘He’s funny and Has a Potty Mouth’