Trivia

She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2015 Queen's New Year Honours List for her services to drama.

She debuted as Doctor Who companion Lucie Miller in the BBC Radio drama Blood of the Daleks, going on to become the only actor to play a recurring lead role in the long-running radio incarnation of the science fiction show.

Stated that her personal favourite role of hers is as Charmian Biggs in Mrs Biggs (2012).

Was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre between 1994 and 2000.

Double Olivier award winner for both Legally Blonde and Flare Path.

Gave birth to her first child at age 38, a son Billy Julian Horn, via emergency Caesarean section on May 9, 2020. Child's father is her [now ex] fiancé, Jamie Horn.

Was in an on-off relationship with James Corden from November 2007 to August 2009.

Was eight months pregnant with her son Billy when she completed filming on Mel (2020).

Played her first grandmother role on-screen at age 36 on The Moorside (2017).

Younger sister of Julian (1971-1989) and Damien Smith (b. 1975).

Was offered a part in Where the Heart Is (1997) but she turned it down to do Love Soup (2005). The role was played by Denise Van Outen.

Was engaged to former insurance broker Jamie Horn from May 2018 to June 2021. They met on the dating app Tinder three months prior to their engagement. They have a son together.

Returned to work five months after giving birth to her son Billy to begin filming No Return (2022).

She declined the opportunity to play the character Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) due to her concerns about the explicit sexual content and nudity required for the role.

Daughter of Colin Smith (1936-2016) and Marylyn (née Carroll) Smith (b. 1944).

Was in a relationship with model Graham Nation from August to November 2017.

Was in a relationship with Greg Wood from November 2014 to January 2016.