All Dressed Up Chloë Annett took over the role of Kochanski when the character became a permanent fixture in series VII. While she soon ditched the PVC trousers, the character's neuroses continued. Aspects of her character that Chloë would like to see more of...

22 December, 2000

A lot of your family are in the business, but how did you become an actress?

Jamie, my brother, is a director now. He directs Eastenders, Holby City and London's Burning at the moment - which our dad [Paul] produces, and he directs the specials. But mum used to be an actress, my grandfather was an Italian painter, and I wanted to be a painter. I got into St Martin's Art School.

A friend of mine got into drama school, Mountview, and I can't really remember what happened. She said, 'Just come along for an audition.' I'd already done a foundation course for St Martin's, but I went along and got in. For some reason she didn't go... I just happened that way. My family were all involved and it just seemed natural.

Part of me wishes I'd gone to art school as well - but I couldn't do them both, obviously. So I went to drama school at an early age - I was much younger than everybody else there. So that's how it happened - by chance. I stayed there for three years, got an agent while I was still there, then did some theatre - got my Equity card - and went straight into television. Did Families. Straight - no messing.

Do you have any interest in directing or producing?

I'd like to do producing. Not directing, I don't think; but producing. I'd be interested in that side of it. Casting and that.

With your family so involved with Eastenders,are we likely to see you turn up on Albert Square?

I want to, but there's no part for me. I can't even have my own stall. Not fair. Dad does all the specials - [including] the Spanish one that came out recently.

More Chloë Annett on...

• Interview
• Biography
• Top-Tens
• Starting-Out
• The Photoshoot

Right hand provided by Andrew Ellard