Muck Raking: Edith Sidebottom
We have a special treat for this month’s muck raking column: multi-talented actress Edith Sidebottom reveals her innermost secrets…
Official Xena Magazine: Issue 18
Birth name: Edith Sidebottom. My parents nearly called me Edna - thank goodness they didn't, because that's the name that Australian actor, Barry Humphries, uses when he dresses up as a woman. I think that sort of thing's disgusting.
Nicknames: Eddie; also Mike, because a lot of the people I work with say I remind them of a gentleman with that name.
Favourite word: Fuchsia.
Hometown: Auckland.
Current Residence: London, England. I was invited over to do some pantos last year and just decided to stay. It's such a wonderful country. And there are some very attractive young men here. Very talented indeed.
Croutons or Bacon Bits? Croutons. I'm a vegetarian - I don't understand how anyone could eat sweet, innocent animals.
Favourite Salad Dressing: Chilli vinaigrette - I like my dressings hot.
Shampoo or Conditioner? Fairy liquid and linseed oil.
Have you ever gone skinny dipping? Well, I did ask that lovely man who plays Hercules if he fancied a dip with a beautiful blonde. Hahaha! Me and Herc used to have such fun together... He wanted to, you know, but he has such a lovely wife, and, well, I was only teasing him really. I'm really quite shy when it comes to taking my clothes off. What about you?
Um, uh, no. Moving quickly on: do you make fun of people? I make fun of people who put on silly voices. That kind of thing really annoys me.
Favourite Colour? Lilac.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Well, I did beat my fifth husband around the head with a rolling pin, but he agreed not to press charges in the end. I had to divorce him, of course.
One pillow or two? Three - I like my comfort. [Cotton or feather?] Oh, they have to be goose down. Anything else brings me out in a rash.
Have you any pets? I have a cat called Cupcake - I named her after the girl in Widow Twanky's dancing troupe because she has beautiful big brown eyes just like the lovely girl who plays her.
Favourite music? Garth Brooks - I've always had a bit of a soft spot for him.
Hobbies? Ballroom dancing; macrame; flower arranging.
Which toothpaste do you use? Any with baking soda in. People place a lot on first impressions, so I like to have a glowing smile.
Favourite food? Cherry cheesecake. It's one of my biggest weaknesses.
Favourite town to take it easy in? Paris. I just love the French attitude towards romance, food and life's simple pleasures.
Favourite ice cream flavour? Tutti-frutti.
Favourite non-alcoholic drink? Ice tea. Drunk out on my veranda on a hot afternoon.
Adidas, Nike, Reebok or other? Who are they? [Sports brands] Oh, I see. I don't do sports. I don't like to sweat, you see - it's not very ladylike.
Favourite perfume? I like feminine, floral scents.
Favourite subject in school? Drama. I was always top of my class…
Favourite sport to watch? Athletics. I do love to watch those lean, fit men.
What is your most humiliating moment? I was playing Julie Andrews' character in a performance of The Sound of Music and a gust of wind blew my wig off while I was singing 'Climb Every Mountain'. I'm very embarrassed about it but I have very thin hair so I always wear a wig. But you can get some really lovely wigs these days…
What is your craziest or silliest idea? Deep down inside, I actually think I'm a man trapped in a woman's body.