Quotes

But when I finished it in 1984, I had no idea that in 2011 I'd still be talking about it and involved with fans. That's rather wonderful to me - especially since Judy was only initially supposed to be in the show for 13 weeks.

Almost every actor at the MTC would get a gig in it. But there was a time before that, and I open my book by talking about, when stuck-up theatre actors in those days would say 'I'd never prostitute myself with a role in a soap.' And they meant it until they were offered a role.

I loved working in the show. I made friends with all the cast members and had a good time. To me it was a happy experience. It gave me unbelievable money I never thought I would have. I bought a house while I was doing it.

Towards the end I was keen to do something else. Enough already playing the same character. I'd been an actor all my life and I wanted to play someone else. I loved the cast but the ones I had been most bonded to had left.

When I finished I went straight into a play at the MTC. In '86 I went back to the States to connect with my brother. When I came back I went straight into Nunsense on tour, which I later directed with June Bronhill.

Then I realised the following and it was amazing. I'm not very keen on being a star and all of that stuff. You want to pay me money for my autograph? Shutup?

I didn't believe that this show we did in the early 80s was still popular. It's only been in the last year that people have contacted me.

So the last year I was a little bit restless, but I still enjoyed it.

It was an amazing journey, but Elspeth (Ballantyne) was the same as a single parent, Val Lehman had three children, so we were all actors with a beautiful gig that paid us well and it was amazing.

In the beginning, she was allowed to be obviously in love and allowed to talk about it. Then, the show was sold to America. At one point, Judy had to kiss another character, and the Americans said, 'No way! She can talk about it, but we don't want to see her kiss someone.' So, from that moment on, they decided to give Judy's gayness a low profile.

One week you'd be raped and the next you'd be at someone with a bit of lead pipe.