Patricia Potter

In March 2004, Patricia took questions from the public on the Holby City message board. Here are her answers (questions have been edited for clarity).

Q. Do you read any of the scripts about you on the Holby Fantasy Script Board?

PP. I do try to look at the website when I can but Diane has been quite busy recently so I'm afraid that time has been a bit of a problem for me! It's great to see people taking such an interest in the show though.. looks like I'd better get reading.

Q. Is anything going to be seen of Diane outside of the operating theatre and hospital?

PP. Diane is about to find herself on an army base- decked out in all the gear and everything- where she meets an elusive surgeon called Will Curtis... This was such a good episode to film. We shot it over 10 night shoots in a wood in Watford just at the time of that arctic weather. We had snow.. the lot.. and had so much fun. Lots of giggling about me looking foul in combats! The episode introduces our new heart surgeon with whom Diane has a few moments but who turns out to be not quite what he seems...

Q. What were your first impressions of the cast?

PP. The cast are gorgeous and lovely every single one and always have been.

Q. Who would you like to see Diane involved with in the future?

PP. I'd love Diane and Ric to end up as a bickering old married couple!

Q. Do you think Diane should be with, or should have been with Alex?

PP. I think that Alex and Diane were probably better off being friends with a bit of a spark. I really enjoyed working with Jeremy who is a sweety with a very evil sense of humour which I love.

Q. If you could be on any other TV program what would it be and why?

PP. I enjoy watching American imports such as Six Feet Under and Will and Grace. It would be wildly exciting to do a turn on Sex and the City of course! My parents have always longed for me to be in a big Sunday night costume drama. How about the next Cold Feet in corsets?

Q. What type of music do you like?

PP. I like most music. I think I have quite eclectic taste actually.. from music that reminds me of school like Prince (a god) and the Police and the Eurythmics through to Nina Simone and jazzy swingy stuff via girls like Tori Amos and gangster rappers. Throw in a bit of hip hop and end up with the Sugababes and Busted. Who I love.

Q. What is Denis Lawson like?

PP. Denis Lawson makes me howl with laughter- he is completely lovely. And nothing like Tom Campbell-Gore!

Q. If you could choose anyone to play you in your life story who would you pick?

PP. Someone utterly gorgeous looking who looks nothing like me! Have you noticed how that always seems to be the way with these things? Or I would play myself and Johnny Depp could play my husband.

Q. If you were the person writing the script, would you hook Diane up with Rick, Tom or Ed?

PP. Ric. (No offence Rocky, but you're about to leave any minute)

Q. If you were stranded on an island and you could only have three things with you, what three things would they be?

PP. Factor Zillion suncream as I'm very pink and English- rubbish in the sun.. one big freckle- an endless brilliant book and a lovely friend.

Q. Who inspired you to get into acting?

PP. Two drama teachers at school- Rachel Bradley and Francesca Amendolia- made me think that it might be possible for acting to be more that just a hobby so I was really lucky to know them.

Q, Who is the most funniest cast member to work with?

PP. Hugh Quarshie and I do a lot of work together and he makes me laugh all the time.

Q. Do you like Diane's personality?

PP. Yes I do like Diane. There's a lot going on with her that she doesn't necessarily show. I like her drive and determination. She's got a good sense of humour in there somewhere as well.

Q. Why is it that we don't know much about her personal life?

PP. She's quite a private person, but more is going to be revealed about her over the next few months...

Q. You always seem to come across as very confident in your roles and make your characters so believable, have you always been confident?

PP. I've become a lot more confident as I've got older. I was hugely shy and unsure of myself when I was in my teens. As for appearing confident in my roles, I think that could be to do with the characters I was playing being quite sassy themselves!

Q. If you met Diane in real life what advice would you give to her and do you think you would get on?

PP. I think we would get on if we were to meet. I'd probably advise her to chill out a bit but I'm bad at practising what I preach!

Q. Did you have to learn any first aid skills as part of joining Holby City?

PP. I didn't have to do a first aid course but I did have the chance to watch open heart surgery which was quite extraordinary and amazing. We have constant medical advice on set though so there's no chance of us going too badly wrong.

Q. Is Diane's watch your watch or do you have a complete costume change? Does that apply to everything like jewellery and hair ties - or is it just things like clothes etc. that are Diane's and not yours?

PP. Everything about Diane's look is sorted out by our brilliant costume and make-up departments.

Q. What was your favourite subject at school and why?

PP. Favourite subjects at school were english, drama and art. I'm rubbish at maths and sciences.

Q. If Diane was an animal, what would she be, and why?

PP. If Diane were an animal I think she'd be a cat in that she would approach people for a stroke and some attention when she wanted to but otherwise she's completely happy with her independence.

Q. Finally heard you like to sing jazz, so any possibilities of a song or two being written into the plot for Diane to serenade her chosen guy with?

PP. Can't see Diane crooning on the ward somehow!

Q. Would you like to see Diane and Zubin get together?

PP. Art is a delight to work with but I don't think there are any plans for a Diane/Zubin clinch.

Q. Are there any storylines/ideas that you'd like to see Diane deal with in the future, and what are your hopes for her future?

PP. I would like to see Diane face up to her past- the things that have happened in her life that have made her who she is. I'm sure it would make for some drama after which it would be nice to see her being happy.

Q. How does it feel knowing you are a role model for so many girls out there?

PP. Very flattering and slightly scary as I don't feel like much of a role model and Diane is a workaholic who can't hold down a relationship!

Q. What is your favourite thing about Diane's character, and would you say it is one of your qualities?

PP. I think she would do anything for her friends - she's always bailing Ric out isn't she. And it's a little known fact that she's a magnificent dancer. Naturally I share both these qualities with Diane.