Lisa-Maxwell-Fans

I became an actress by accident...

I grew up on a council estate in London and there was a girl who lived across the road who was very posh. It turned out she was having elocution lessons at the Italia Conti Stage School and my mum thought, ‘I’ll have some of that’. She reckoned if I spoke properly I’d be able to do anything. When I got there they’d stopped teaching elocution so I did drama instead, and loved it.

 I love being on Loose Women...

It’s such a giggle. If you’re feeling a bit fed up or cheesed off, the girls are brilliant as they just pick you up. How often as a grown-up woman do we get to hang out with our mates? It’s like being a teenager again.

On leaving The Bill...

"It is an honour to have been part of a show that has been on our screens for 25 years to date, and it has of course been a difficult decision for me, but I am excited about what lies ahead and will leave with happy memories of a wonderful team'' 

Was there any other reason for leaving The Bill now?

"I also suffered two miscarriages last year. That was the biggest factor in my decision to go. When the first one happened in January I worked through it, which I shouldn't have. But being 40-la-la and thinking this may have been my last chance to have a baby – well, it was easier to ignore what had happened and keep being Sam instead of Lisa. Then a few months later it happened again. I'd just done a great scene with Patrick Robinson when I went to the loo and realised something was wrong. This awful feeling, this wave of 'Oh no, it's happening again' washed over me. I rang Paul [Jessup, fiance] and he said, 'You need to come home.'"

I don’t think I ever really loved anyone until I met Paul...

We met 14 years ago at an after-show party when I was in the musical Grease. I knew straight away that he was The One. What I love about Paul is that you ask him a question and he gives a straight answer. He’s so grounded and that gives me security. I still fancy the pants off him. I’d marry Paul tomorrow but I can’t stand weddings.

On leaving The Bill...

"I've loved every minute of my seven years on The Bill, but feel that I have taken the character of Sam as far as I can, and that it is time to move on to new challenges'' 

How are things different since leaving The Bill?

"Well, it's my daughter Beau's sports day next Thursday and for the first time I'll actually be able to make it. I'm usually working and don't get the chance to do the normal things that mums do, but this year I'm going to be there with knobs on! I'm even taking a picnic. Overall, I've been fitting back in with the family, which isn’t as easy as it sounds as they’ve got their own lives without me."

What about rumours that you have been asked to appear on Strictly Come Dancing?

"I haven't been asked, but oh blimey, I'd love to do Strictly. I love the glamour, the frocks, and that lovely Anton du Beke. Although he'd be a bit tall for me, wouldn't he? I'd probably have to have Vincent, he’s a little dynamo. Oh, I'd have anyone really if it meant getting one of those frocks!"