‘I Fangirled Over Susan Sarandon!'

Actress Nicola Walker has her own set of loyal fans – but that doesn’t stop her from getting star-struck

There are some stars who you meet that you could sit talking to for hours – step forward nicola walker. Despite starring in some of TV’s biggest shows, including Last Tango In Halifax and returning ITV drama Unforgotten, the actress, 46, is refreshingly down to earth. 

When we meet, nicola may be nervous – she’s the first to admit she isn’t particularly keen on talking about herself – but she soon relaxes, and it’s not long before we’re chatting about everything from uni pal Sue Perkins to meeting her Hollywood idols. The star is married to fellow actor Barnaby Kay and mum to Harry, 10…

‘I’m not a squeamish person. But on the first day on set of the new series of Unforgotten, we had to shoot a scene where my character Cassie finds a body in a suitcase, and it looked so realistic that I had people saying to me, ‘It’s not real, Nicola!’ The director said, ‘Could you look less like you’re going to pass out?’’

‘The Last Tango In Halifax cast is like a little family. We text each other when it’s been too long and support each other. I went to see Anne Reid doing a cabaret night when I was in America and within 20 minutes, I was sobbing – she’s a phenomenal performer. And when I watched Happy Valley, I had to send a text to Sarah Lancashire, saying, ‘I’m standing up and clapping at the television. I’m literally giving you a standing ovation!’ She is absolutely flying. It’s brilliant.’