What is the meaning of life?

To learn from your mistakes and do things that make you happy.

What is the difference between right and wrong?

The feeling of guilt the next day.

Do you feel good or do you feel guilty?

That’s how you’ll know.

Where is your happy place?

In my bed with no alarm set.

Nature or nurture?

Definitely nurture. For example, I believe that no breed of dog is dangerous – it’s always the owner.

Is it more important to be liked or respected?

To me, they’re the same thing. 

If you could be remembered for one thing what would it be?

For being a nice person. I’d rather be remembered for being kind than for my achievements.

Who or what is your greatest love?

My dog, Phoebe. I went from a young girl to a young woman with her by my side. She never judged me and if I did something wrong, she still loved me.

When did you last lie?

I’m not sure, but it was probably about being late. I’m always running late – it’s my downfall.

Does the supernatural exist?

Yes. I’ve had lots of supernatural experiences, but I always just blame them on my brain playing tricks. About five years ago, I woke up to a little girl lying next to me in my bed and when I reacted to her, she mirrored what I did. My brother’s had a similar experience in that room too, so maybe it wasn’t just me.

Are you fatalistic?

Yes, I’ve always believed that we’re meant to meet certain people at certain times in our lives.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing someone I love.

Animals or babies?

Animals. If I wasn’t acting, I’d want to work with animals, so that says a lot.

What talent do you yearn for?

I’d love to be able to sing. I make videos in my car when I’m driving back and forward between Manchester and Essex, and I try my hardest to sing well but it just doesn’t work out.

Do you like to be complimented?

No, I don’t take well to compliments, they make me feel shy. I can deal with criticism better.

Do you have a high pain threshold?

Yes, I learned that when I was filming Our Girl because of the amount of times I fell down and had bruises. You just have to get up and carry on.

What book do you recommend most to others?

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It’s a book that will change your whole mindset.

Which lesson has been the hardest to learn?

Listening to other people’s negative opinions less. I used to let them get to me a lot more than I do now.

What food sums up happiness?

We do something called a ‘bit table’ at home. It’s all our favourite foods – garlic prawns, mozzarella salad, chicken wings – laid out on one table for us to pick at.

What have you never understood?

How and why people can be cruel to animals.

What is the one thing you want to know before you die?

Not know, but do – I want to meet Céline Dion! Mark [Wright, Michelle’s husband] bought me tickets to see her perform in Las Vegas last month and she cancelled on the night. I was devastated.

Are you scared of dying or what happens when you die?

I’m scared of the pain, but I was really close to my grandma and I feel like if she [went through] it, then I can too.

Quinoa or Quavers?

Quavers! Who the hell would pick quinoa?

Image: Rex Features