My perfect Weekend: Gemma Bissix

It's Friday afternoon, what's on your mind?

If I'm working then I'll be thinking about the show that evening. But ideally, if I have the night/weekend off then I'll be thinking about a night on the town.

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekends?

Normally I spend the weekends with my boyfriend and all of our friends. Sometimes I'll go out with the girls but now we're getting older and most my friends are married, we tend to all go out together as one big group.

How do you prepare for a big night out?

I don't normally prepare that much for a night out...wash my hair? That's about it.

What's your favourite party outfit?

I like wearing jumpsuits or shorts as it means that you can have a proper dance without worrying about flashing your knickers.

You've just arrived at the bar, what's your first drink?

I always go for a gin and tonic for my first drink. I love lager but if I'm dressed up then I don't want to bloat myself by drinking that. Hendricks gin is just lovely with a slice of cucumber.

What is your favourite night spot and why?

My dad and uncle own a bar in Weybridge called 'Red' so we always go out there. They have great food and cracking music. Plus they have a late license too so you can carry on boogeying till 1am. There's always a great atmosphere and plenty of people we know.

It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?

Once my boyfriend finishes at work, then we'll have a bottle of beer in the garden and invite our friends over for a barbecue. This would no doubt carry on into the evening. The one thing that's pretty much guaranteed is that I'll be outdoors soaking up some sunshine.

What's your most memorable weekend ever and why?

My most memorable weekend would have to be my 30th birthday party last Saturday. I had over 150 people over to my dad's farm in Cobham Surrey and made everyone wear orange. It was from 2pm till 2am. We had a bouncy castle, a candy floss machine, pick 'n' mix, a Pimms Tent, a lamb roast on a spit, live singers and so on. We even had a guest appearance from Bobby Davro who sang "Your Song" (by Elton John) to me. It was truly one of the most memorable days of my life. And to top it all off at 4.30am the next morning, my boyfriend and I got a taxi to Gatwick and flew out to the Sensatori resort in Tenerife. Absolute bliss and the best hangover cure ever.

What's your recipe for the perfect night in?

My perfect night in would be snuggling up on the sofa with my boyfriend. We'd order in a takeaway curry and settle down for a few episodes of The Following with Kevin Bacon. We both absolutely love that series and cannot wait till the next one's out.

Favourite DVD and what would you eat while watching it?

I love silly comedies like Ace Ventura with Jim Carey or old school titles like Uncle Buck or Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. And to eat – definitely wasabi peas and lots and lots of pick 'n' mix.

Sunday breakfast: cooked or continental?

Cooked breakfast for sure and I'd be the one to cook it. Creamy scrambled egg with streaky bacon, beans, tinned tomatoes, potato fritas and toast...mmmmm bliss.

Sunday lunch: home cooked or down the pub?

I do the best Sunday lunch. I love cooking at home. My partner and I normally have over 20 roast potatoes between the two of us. Lamb or beef and homemade Yorkshires do the trick every time. But we also love to drive out to the countryside in Surrey to places like Sheer to have a Sunday lunch in a country pub. The roast potatoes are never as good as mine but the setting makes up for it.

Where and how do you like to relax?

We have a hot tub in our garden and get in it every night without fail. When I'm at home we absolutely love it. I'm in there almost all the time when I'm at home.

You have the whole weekend off and a wad of cash. Which country or city would you head to?

Definitely Ibiza. I'd opt for a three days stay at Ushuaia Hotel in Playa Bossa. I went there last year and it was – without a doubt – one of the best weeks of my life. I'd definitely go back there if I had endless amounts of money but it's just so expensive.

British actress Gemma has been treading the boards since the age of nine. The star became a household name playing Clare Bates in Eastenders from 1993-98 and again in 2008. She is also well known for her role as Clare Devine in Hollyoaks, which she has played since 2005. Gemma was a star of Dancing on Ice and has won two British Soap Awards. She will be appearing alongside Dean Gaffney, Katy Manning and David Callister in Murder In Play from Tuesday to June 29 at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.