'THE CHANCE TO BE OTHER PEOPLE IS MY WAY OF COPING'

AS HELENA BONHAM CARTER TAKES ON THE ROLE OF SOAP STAR NOELE GORDON, SHE REVEALS WHY WE COULD ALL BENEFIT FROM A LITTLE ESCAPISM

Helena Bonham Carter is one of the world’s most versatile actresses. From starring as Princess Margaret in The Crown to playing the

Red Queen in the Alice In Wonderland films, she has given unforgettable performances which are both true to and very much larger than life.

The acclaimed star is now taking on another challenging role as Crossroads legend Noele Gordon. Helena is bringing the soap queen back to life in Russell T Davies’ new ITVX drama series, Nolly.

Noele – or Nolly to her friends – played outspoken widow Meg Richardson (later Mortimer) in the long-running Birmingham-based soap opera from 1964, becoming one of Britain’s most famous faces during the 1960s and 70s.

Then, in 1981, at the peak of Nolly’s fame, she was sacked without warning and without explanation. With the boss’s words “all good things must come to an end” ringing in her ears, Noele found herself cruelly dumped out of the show that had been her life for more than 18 years.

And the role is one which Helena is relishing as a woman who has survived the pitfalls of show business herself.

“Noele is a dream to play,” says Helena, 56, as we caught up with her before the show’s launch.

“When I read the script, it was like a gift. It was a dream that floated onto the page. I couldn’t believe it. I knew Noele Gordon. I mean sort of dimly. I wasn’t loyal watcher of Crossroads, but I was very aware of it.