An English actress and writer. Her writing credits include episodes for This Life, Attachments and Black Cab. She appeared as Sonja, the Ukrainian girlfriend of the protagonist in the comedy I'm Alan Partridge. She is currently featuring in commercials for Direct Line insurance where she plays a prospective customer at a car show. She was a finalist for the Dennis Potter Award in 2000 for her 90 minute drama entitled The Middle. Her first stage play, Mammals, was the winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and was shortlisted for the What's On Best New Comedy Award. From 1990 she played the role of Steph Barnes in Coronation Street. She has also recently appeared on BBC Radio 4's phone-in spoof Down the Line.