Amelia Bullmore: ‘I met my husband doing Romeo and Juliet. We weren’t the leads – it wasn’t that tidy’

The actor on getting caught gossiping, the footballer she has a crush on, and having both her best and worst kiss in one night

Born in London, Amelia Bullmore, 62, studied drama at Manchester University. In 1990, she became a regular on Coronation Street and her later TV credits include I’m Alan Partridge, Ashes to Ashes, Twenty Twelve, Happy Valley and Riot Women. She appeared in and wrote episodes of the long-running series Scott & Bailey and also wrote for This Life. In 2005, her first play, Mammals, co-won the Susan Smith Blackburn award. From 10 to 31 October she stars in Margaret Atwood’s play The Penelopiad at York Theatre Royal. She is married to actor Paul Higgins, has two daughters and lives in London.

When were you happiest?
I’m often very happy when I’m in – or just out of – the sea.