SHE'S coming back to our TV screens as one of the bitchiest characters ever created. But what does Huddersfield actress Zoe Lucker really think of life as Tanya Turner - Queen Bitch of Footballers' Wives? We catch up with the actress at a launch for the fifth series of the hit TV drama.
Q: We last saw Tanya forced out of Earls Park by Amber and Conrad and heading for Brazil. What has caused her to return to Earls Park?
Zoe: Tanya's latest husband died, so having heard that Conrad has been shot and Amber is out of the way, it's the perfect time for Tanya to make her entrance.
Q: Do you think Tanya has changed at all or is she up to her same old tricks?
Zoe: Tanya doesn't change; she's as manipulative as ever. She is about to meet her toughest female match in Eva de Wolffe and she enjoys the sparring. She loves that! And it means she is faced with new challenges which Eva's character provides on a regular basis.
Q: Tell us about Paulo, Tanya's new love interest, and how they met.
Zoe: Tanya spies Paulo getting on her flight in Brazil and she's quick to manipulate things so she can meet him. They get very close on the flight and there is an attraction from the first moment they meet.
Q: What does Tanya see in Paulo?
Zoe: Physically Paulo is gorgeous, so she's immediately attracted to him and, of course, he's the new signing to Earls Park, which is exactly where she is heading. So he's attractive to her on two levels, his looks and because he's going to be the one that can get her back into Earls Park.
Q: Paulo has a partner, the intimidating Eva de Wolffe, played by Joan Collins. What was it like working with Joan Collins?
Zoe: Joan Collins was amazing. I've always been a big fan of hers. She is extremely professional but great fun, too. She's got a wicked sense of humour and is fabulously elegant, but down to earth.
Q: The fans will be delighted Tanya has returned to Footballers' Wives. What was it that made you return?
Zoe: I couldn't resist the prospect of working with Joan Collins. So when Brian Park mentioned his plan to pair up Tanya with Joan it was an offer I just couldn't turn down. And also I had missed playing Tanya. She gets such fantastic dialogue, she really is a brilliant character.
Q: You starred in a stage play called Then Comes Love in New Zealand. Was it fun returning to theatre after television?
Zoe: I had the most wonderful time in New Zealand. It was very scary though being back on stage. But this was one of the reasons I wanted to do it. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. I was on stage with just one other person for 90 minutes every night, with solid dialogue. There were no big fancy sets or other characters to take the pressure off. So I was quite daunted. I can't remember a time where I felt more nervous. I kept having dreadful thoughts. What if I forgot my lines? What would I do if I just went blank? Fortunately all was fine.
Q: Would you go back to New Zealand?
Zoe: I loved New Zealand and I'm desperate to return and see it properly. I was working so hard I didn't see all the bits I really wanted to. And the people I met were all amazing.
Q: What are the best outfits you wear this series?
Zoe: I love all Tanya's outfits - but some are definitely better than others. She wears an electric blue suede jacket with diamante jeans at an auction, which was fun. And a three-piece, peach-coloured suede suit when she first meets Eva de Wolffe.
Q: Who are your favourite designers and why?
Zoe: I like lots of designers, such as Neil Cunningham, Maria Grachvogel and Sharon Cunningham. But I find designers' shops, though lovely, can be quite daunting; they are so quiet. So I prefer it when they are based in department stores like Selfridges.
Q: How long does it take you to get ready to go out?
Zoe: If it's a normal day it doesn't take me long to get ready as I tend to wash my hair the night before. I don't like washing and drying it before I go out. So on a normal day it would take me about half an hour to get ready. This includes having a bath - I never shower as I prefer baths - and then putting on some make up. If I'm getting ready for a function or event it takes me about an hour in total to get ready.
Q: What five beauty items do you swear by?
Zoe: I love my perfume; I wear Clinique Aromatics Elixir. I love my Yves St Laurent mascara as it's really good and thick. I can't leave home without my Clinique Air Kiss lip gloss and I love my MAC Spice lip liner.
Q: What do you always carry in your handbag?
Zoe: Napoleon Bronzer, Clinique Like Mink eyeshadow duo, my Armani foundation and my vitamins. Also, a little black notebook which is my second memory as I write lists, names, reference numbers etc in it, chewing gum and some Arri Mints that I was given by one of the electricians on Footballers' Wives.
Q: What are your favourite beauty brands?
Zoe: Clinique has to be one of my favourite brands, as I love their perfume Aromatics Elixir and their Air Kiss lip gloss and Like Mink eye shadow. But I love the Armani foundation and Napoleon Bronzer too.
Q: Where do you like to shop?
Zoe: I don't drive, so that rules out the out-of-town centres. I like to shop in Selfridges, but when I'm shopping I tend to come into central London and find myself the nearest Zara. I also love Harvey Nichols. I particularly love the one in Leeds. I did all my Christmas present shopping there.
Q: How do you like to relax?
Zoe: I love having dinner with my friends. I also like just hanging out at home with SB (Sarah Barrand) and my cats, or seeing friends and family.
Q: How do you keep in shape?
Zoe: I have an exercise bike, but I don't use it as much as I should. I do, however, walk a lot. If I need to go into town I often choose to walk; it's a couple of miles and it's great exercise.
Q: Any bad habits?
Zoe: Yes smoking. It's terrible. I've got to stop.
