WHAT HAPPENED TO LORNA AT THE END OF LAST SERIES?
At the end of last series Lorna was deeply disturbed and tried to commit suicide by trying to drown herself. She had found out Tom and Izzie had got together and even though she tried to keep herself cheerful around them both she found it all too much to bear.

DO YOU THINK LORNA HAS CHANGED AT ALL?
I think in this series Lorna appears to have re-gained control of her life but this turns out to be quite misleading.

TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT LORNA:
Lorna is back in her old job teaching at Waterloo Road. Everyone thought she had left as at the end of last series she wrote to Tom and Izzie and said she was leaving and going to make a new life for herself 'probably in Australia'. But this was a lie she really tried to kill herself. She had reached the end of her tether when her marriage broke down and Tom started dating her friend Izzie. She tried to act like it was all okay but she just couldn't cope. So on the first day of term Tom and Izzie head back to work as normal and Lorna's appearance certainly gives them both a massive shock. Lorna is putting a brave face on it.

LORNA IS PUTTING ON A BRAVE FACE WITH TOM AND IZZIE, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK HER TRUE FEELINGS ARE?
Lorna is very, very hurt and still has mixed emotions towards Izzie and Tom exacerbated by suffering deep depression.

DO YOU FEEL SORRY FOR LORNA?
Yes, I do feel sorry for Lorna although you can't help but feel she was originally mastering her own destruction.

DO YOU THINK LORNA COULD HAVE DEALT WITH THE SITUATION DIFFERENTLY?
She could and Lorna really should have left Waterloo Road (and the local area) as it was guaranteed to make her more depressed. She should never have put herself in such painful and vulnerable situations. She's a bit like a moth to a flame.

WHAT IS LORNA'S RELATIONSHIP LIKE WITH IZZIE NOW?
It's love and hate again. They have a deep bond with undercurrents of resentment. You can forgive but not forget.

WHAT IS LORNA'S RELATIONSHIP LIKE WITH TOM?
Lorna still has feelings for Tom on many levels.

LORNA SETS HER SIGHTS ON ANDREW QUITE QUICKLY. WHY DO YOU THINK SHE DOES THIS?
Lorna feels vulnerable and Andrew is kind to her, this makes him attractive to her and also gives her fragile ego a boost. I think she likes him as a person and they have certain things in common. I think she tries to throw herself into another relationship so soon after Tom to feel loved and protected and wanting to forget about Izzie and Tom. And it is a distraction!

IS THERE RECIPROCAL INTEREST FROM ANDREW OR IS IT A ONE-SIDED RELATIONSHIP?
Andrew's interest in Lorna is not for a relationship - I think he sees it as more a friend who he can have a bit more with. So it's very casual for him. Though he's too 'nice' to let her down.

WHAT IS LORNA'S RELATIONSHIP LIKE WITH THE REST OF THE STAFF?
Lorna has a good relationship with the other teachers and they do sympathise with her. They think she is very strong and together as they don't see the other side to her.

BULLYING IS AN ISSUE THIS SERIES. HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO GIVE ADVICE IN REGARDS TO BULLYING, OR TAKE IT YOURSELF?
I was actually bullied a bit as a child about my sticking out ears at school. It was nothing too serious. Sometimes a little bit of teasing can make you tougher I think!

DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TELEVISION PROGRAMS TO ILLUSTRATE ISSUES?
I think it is good television raises issues and gets families talking about things. There are many themes that can be tackled.

DOES THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION YOUR CHILD RECEIVES WORRY YOU?
Not at the moment as my son goes to a fantastic International school with small classes.

AS A MOTHER DO YOU ACTIVELY TAKE AN INTEREST IN CURRENT EDUCATION ISSUES OR ARE YOU COMFORTABLE IN THE CHOICE OF SCHOOL YOU HAVE MADE?
My son is schooled privately but I do worry this government is steadily destroying the education system by cutting funding etc. Where I live private seemed like it was the only choice.

LORNA DISCOVERS SHE IS ILL. HOW DOES THIS NEWS AFFECT HER?
The news Lorna has an illness hits her hard and it exacerbates her depression and beings to bring all her repressed emotions to the surface. Destroying her from the inside out.

DO YOU THINK SHE ADDRESSES HER ILLNESS IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER?
No! Lorna goes into denial making her symptoms worse.

DOES SHE USE HER ILLNESS TO GAIN HER SYMPATHY WITH OTHERS?
Lorna does use her illness to manipulate Tom and Izzie. Though I could also blame the depression. As I think this is the fundamental problem.

DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE ILLNESS BEFORE? DID YOU DO ANY RESEARCH IN TO IT AND WAS IT WAS IT EASY TO ACCESS INFORMATION?
It seems to me such a mysterious disease in many ways as it affects everyone differently. The websites were great and very helpful there seemed to be a lot of information available. But I think with Lorna a lot of the issues she comes up against are based on her being depressed.

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT RECORDING WATERLOO ROAD?
I have had such a great time and we have some fantastic laughs on and off the set. Most of the stories would be unprintable but it is a fun show to record.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORYLINE THIS SERIES?
I think my character Lorna, has one of the best storylines this series it's been challenging but really good to do.

WHAT DID YOU DO BETWEEN SERIES?
A had a lovely holiday in Thailand with my boyfriend we went to Phuket and Bangkok and just chilled out. He has been in Iraq so it was a wonderful break and such a gentle place to be.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROJECTS LINED UP AFTER WATERLOO ROAD HAS FINISHED FILMING?
A couple of things but to be honest I just want to have time at home for a few weeks. Go skiing with my boyfriend and see some of Eastern Europe (I love it)!!

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
I was born in Cork, Ireland but grew up in Wimbledon/Putney.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Battersea.

THE SERIES IS FILMED IN ROCHDALE - WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ROCHDALE?
Rochdale is quite beautiful in an obscure way. It is surrounded by hills so there is a brilliant view. It is lovely looking out over rolling hills from the school. I haven't seen much of it though except the inside of the school and the view!