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Natalie Robb - Actor
Natalie has featured in TV programmes including The Bill. From Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, she was a Brownie."Don't succumb to the pressures to be someone else's ideal of physical perfection. Don't change your body - change the way you think."
It would have to include black pudding, square sausage (can't seem to find them outside Scotland), potato scones, shortbread and some Scots Whisky for tradition of course!
There are two places - I grew up in Balmore Village outside Torrence. We lived in a beautiful
old house at the top of a hill with 3 ½ acres of land. My parents worked hard to get
it and it was their pride and joy!
The house was a big old house - full of nooks and crannies and at the top my brother, sister
and I had the run of the attic. I have many happy memories of great times there, playing with
friends or riding our ponies in the field.
The other place is Loch Lomond, where I spent a lot of time when I was on the Scottish soap Take the High Road. I always try to go back there when I can, especially with visitors as its breathtakingly beautiful. Its funny you don't realise just how beautiful somewhere is until you have been away from it for a while. That area for me brings back good memories of my first long-running job - where I learned my trade!
I would have loved to have been Braveheart!! I think the story of William Wallace is amazing - how he never gave up and fought for our freedom. Actually, I've done a sponsored abseil for charity down the William Wallace Monument- which was fun!
I played a barrister on Waking the Dead. I was offered the job just before filming started and
I had ten scenes to learn in 24 hours. My hands were shaking I was so nervous! I really wanted
to do a good job because of the programme's reputation and I really admire Sue Johnson. She's
a great actress and I enjoyed working with her - I hope I will get the chance again.
I got a lot of support and the directors were excellent - so I was pleased with the result.
I have a wee dream of owning a traditional café - with big sofas, mugs of coffee and
great sandwiches. My friends and family love my unique combinations in sandwiches. I'd love
that because I'm a people person.
Having said that - I think being a property developer would
be pretty interesting. I'm helping my Mum renovate a house at the moment and am enjoying that
too.
Greg Dyke (former Director-General of the BBC), Edi Stark (Journalist and Broadcaster), Greg Hemphill (Actor and Comedian).
I love all three for different reasons. Film is really interesting because you get a chance
to spend quality time on your part. There's a real energy and buzz about TV as you usually are
working under pressure and tight deadlines.
With the theatre you have rehearsals and lots of time spent on characterisation. There's the
amazing experience of having a live audience and their reaction can be different every evening.
I'm really looking forward to doing more theatre.
A lot really, Brownies was the foundation for a lot of things - it really builds character.
I was an extremely shy child - rarely spoke to anyone. My Mum sent me to Brownies in the hope
that it might help my confidence. As I interacted with the other girls, was encouraged to achieve
tasks and badges, developed skills and knowledge about things - it really helped my self-esteem
and confidence.
The other thing was learning to work individually as well as within a team. Something all
actors have to do!
Actually - I loved my uniform. There was something really nice about putting on the uniform and all of us being equal and the same. Treating everyone equally and with respect was something my mother taught me and Brownies reinforced and it has stayed with me.
My Mum. She had the natural concerns a parent does about going their child going into the industry I am in - but was always supportive and encouraging. She also respected that I am my own person and never pushed me into anything - which I admire.
The best advice she has given is telling me to be true to myself and to keep my feet on the ground.
I've always loved those old classic movie actresses such as Doris Day and Lana Turner. I saw
a wonderful film the other day called Madam X starring Lana Turner. It was really heart wrenching
and dealt with some hard issues, but at the same time there was a simplicity about it that I
loved.
It's a perfect film to sit and watch with a cup of tea on a Sunday afternoon. Get the tissues
though - I cried buckets, which is unusual for me
"Don't worry - be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin. I'm generally a happy spirited person.
Check
their breasts. I had a recent breast cancer scare (fortunately it turned out to be benign)
and my cousin is going through treatment for breast cancer.
It can be frightening but the sooner
it is caught the more can be done. I know it can be scary - but is better to have peace of mind
and find out you are okay, like I was - or have it treated as soon as possible, like my cousin.
Well if I really had a million pounds I would split it in four. Firstly to a Cancer charity
such as Cancer Research because some very special people to me have had cancer. Also the Antony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.
Then it would be Help the Aged. I have a real problem with the way old people
are treated in this country.
That generation fought for us and our liberty and they deserve so much and have so many amazing
stories to tell. Yet they are treated with such little respect, compassion and dignity - it's
appalling.
My final charity would be Make a Wish Foundation.
I was so inspired and touched by a little girl called Hannah who I met through the Foundation
and has sadly died. She was such a determined and beautiful child and I still keep a photo of
her in my kitchen.
It was wonderful that she was given a wish; it made her so happy (I think she met Boyzone) and
for those moments of joy she forgot about the tremendous pain she was in.
I love my Angel Cards, which simply put are inspirational life-affirming messages on cards for guidance and support. I've been using them for years and they are great to do with the girls on a night in. They help me start my day in a positive way and have given me hope when I have felt alone. I love giving them as gifts - my nieces really love them.
I love white the smell and shape of white lilies as well as the fact they symbolise Peace. I would send yellow roses which I love (and symbolise friendship) to my sister who lives in Germany. She's lived there for years - but we are very close and miss each other a lot.
To find out more about The Bill please see www.thebill.com
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