Fabulous’ Antonia and Joanna enjoy posh cheese on toast
Where Canteen, Spitalfields, London
Hi, Joanna, we hope you’ve worked up an appetite?
I’ve just been round the shops – I’ve got a total shopping addiction. When I heard I was doing this interview with you, I thought we’d be shopping or having a manicure. Then I found out we’d be eating Welsh rarebit…
Sorry to disappoint! We thought it might be your staple diet?
[Puzzled] It’s basically just cheese on toast, isn’t it? James [Thornton, 36, Joanna's actor husband] makes the most amazing cheese on toast.
With husband James
Does the fact James recently left Emmerdale [his character, John Barton, died in February] mean you’ve got more time together?
It’s lovely. His commute from London to Leeds was hard work but now we stay in our PJs till 1pm, walk our dog, then play chess or poker. I’m so happy to be a housewife right now.
We’re loving you in The Syndicate, BBC1′s drama about lottery winners. Do you play the lottery?
I didn’t, until recently when I saw an interview with some Euromillions winners and I was jealous. I’ve won £9.20 so far!
What would you do if you won millions?
I’d buy loads of land, a sheep, donkeys, goats, loads more dogs, then set up an animal charity. Then I’d buy a small boat and ride up and down the Thames on it with the animals and James [pauses for breath]. Then I’d probably go back to work.
You wouldn’t be tempted to jack in your job and live the high life?
My job isn’t like a job. I earn money from a hobby. I’m in my 30s and I’ve never worn a suit.
Are you as sweet and innocent as you seem?
[Guffaws] That’s hilarious. I’m actually a typical Aries – fiery, really stubborn, very selfish and incredibly impulsive. I explode, just like that. I’m dreadful in the mornings – I don’t want anyone talking to me.
Do you have a secret wild side too?
Yes! I grew up by the sea and I’ve been known to streak up and down the beach. And once, in a nightclub, I decided I was a better dancer than the men in thongs on the podium. I dragged them down, got up there and got so carried away, I started taking my clothes off, spinning them round my head until I was only wearing the salmon-coloured bra I’d borrowed from my mum!
Joanna in Gavin & Stacey
You couldn’t do that now…
Of course, that was before Gavin & Stacey. Now I have to do that kind of thing in private.
Oo-er. Please tell us Gavin & Stacey will be back one day…
I don’t think so, sorry! We had a laugh, but we all knew it was the end after the last series.
Sigh… Can you tell us some celeb gossip to cheer us up before we go?
I’ve got quite a lot, actually, about male celebrities, relationships you could never imagine and dirty sex. That’s all I can say. Sorry!
- Joanna’s supporting Mr Kipling’s mission to spread happiness with his travelling Cakemobile. Visit Facebook.com/Mrs Kipling for locations and more information.
The damage
Minutes early Joanna arrived 30
Amount of cheese consumed by Fabulous Shedloads
Times Joanna said she wanted to be a housewife 3
Minutes Joanna smiled for A whopping 60 – which was the whole time we spent with her.
