Patricia Potter

In July 2003, Patricia took questions from the public on the Holby City message board. Here are her answers (questions have been edited for clarity).

Q. What made you want to become a actress?

PP. Fame. Money. And a hope that one day I might work with Hugh Quarshie (Ric Griffin). Actually I think it was more to do with the fact that I am not terribly good at anything else, but I can’t really remember – I just loved it.

Q. Who is the funniest member of the cast?

PP. Jan Pearson – Kath Fox (she says. Now she owes me a tenner)

Q. Who do you enjoy working with most out of the cast and why?

PP. Everyone is fun to work with here – we’re all really lucky to be amongst such lovely people. I work most regularly with Hugh Quarshie (Ric Griffin) who is brilliant so I’m extra lucky.

Q. What's the differance between working on the set of Holby and other shows you have worked on?

PP. I guess because we work such long hours and over a long period of time together at Holby that we become good friends here. A lot of sets that you work on you arrive and leave again quickly and so you don’t get the chance to get to know people quite so well. There is a really great atmosphere here.

Q. Do you ever get mistaken for a real doctor sometimes?

PP. No, never – thankfully as I wouldn’t have the first clue!

Q. Which character would you say is most like yourself, Diane or Victoria from Brookside?

PP. Of the two, Diane. Victoria was a terrible old slapper! Diane is a bit more together I think. But actually, I’m really not that similar to either of them.

Q. What has been the most enjoyable storyline/episode to do so far?

PP. Although it was terribly sad, I really enjoyed Steve’s (Waring – Peter De Jersey) departure form the show – the added trauma of the abortion and Diane’s relationship with Steve meant that Diane showed some vulnerability – she’s usually very strong – and I enjoyed having a good cry. It was also great to be involved in the Alex Adam’s (Jeremy Sheffield) Parkinson storyline.

Q. Who do you admire and why?

PP. This is a really hard question – there are so many people I admire, both from the acting world and beyond so to cut short a huge list I’m going to say my mum and dad who are the most hard-working, generous and genuine people I know.

Q. How do you keep your hair looking so damn good?(yes, that was my question :P)

PP. Thank you! We are lucky enough to have make up and costume assistants at Holby, and without Tina Brown and Carolyn Fleming I would be a complete hound.

Q. Which "real" people do you admire?

Jan Pearson (now she owes me twenty!)

Q. Which actor would you most like to see make an apperence in Holby or work with on another project?

PP. Ooh tough one – umm. I get quite star struck around very famous people and go mute so I’m not sure. It may be fun to work with my fella who is also an actor.

Q. Diane has been through some tough times lately, do you find the crying scenes hard?

PP. No – I love a good ball.

Q. What's the funniest thing you've done while filming a scene?

PP. Apart from swearing foully when I forget lines (which happens a lot) its always brilliant when people get the giggles and cant stop. I love that. But as for farting or falling over mid scene, I'm lucky enough not to have gone there…..yet.