We lived in Bristol and had a camper van where the top would pop up so that my big brother and I had our own mini-fortress/tent in the air. We thought we were pretty cool. On the weekends or holidays we would all pile into the van and head off to some old site that mum had carefully chosen for its historic value. Looking at what we were told was King Arthur's grave I decided I should have been born in the olden days because people back then were short, like me.

The first time my heart was broken -

Was when a neighbour's dog broke into our yard and killed Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, my dwarf bunny rabbits. Those little guys were legends. Snugglepot was dark and twitchy and had the energy of Woody Allen playing a sperm in Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask). Cuddlepie was huge and would eat anything, literally: pencils, trees, my homework.

The biggest adversity I have overcome -

Depression. I was very lucky because the people around me were able to support me. The first step is being able to talk about it with the people close to you.

My motto for life is -

In any given situation, think: "What would a wise person do?"

My soul mate is -

Poetry. If I had one book on my desert island, it would be the Norton Anthology.

Not many people know that -

My grandfather and I used to watch all the old movies together. He was a walking back catalogue of Hollywood films. I always wished I had curly hair like Shirley Temple and was baffled as to why the whole eating your crusts thing didn't work.

The most inspiring book I've ever read is -

Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr Seuss.

If I ever feel lonely -

I'll give someone a call. I also find that looking at photos of people I love helps.

What I look for in a friend is -

People who know how to have fun – and how to be still.

The first person I ring when I'm upset is -

My mum.

I believe the secret to a strong relationship is -

Being honest with yourself about what you expect of your partner, not to let those expectations become unrealistic and to allow your partner to be themselves. Oh, and great sex can help.

Something I wish I'd done earlier -

I read way too much Jane Austen growing up and feel like I'm never going to quite cut it until I learn the piano. I learned the violin instead, which was handy because it's much easier to carry it around, you can join orchestras and chamber groups, stay late after school and smoke fags. But you never saw Lizzie Bennett whack out her violin, stick it to Lady Catherine and beguile Darcy with an instrument that, whenever I play it, closely resembles the sound of a dying cat.

My all-time favourite YouTube clip -

Neil Patrick Harris' Tony's opener: It's Not Just For Gays Anymore. He is one talented guy.

My childhood hero was -

Probably Tori Amos and Trent Reznor. I'm not sure how I would have vented my teenage angst without them.

The place I most like to call home -

Wherever my parents are.

Anna Skellern will be appearing at the first official Lip Service fan event, alongside fellow cast members Fiona Button and Heather Peace plus show creator Harriet Braun, on July 15 in Glasgow. Tickets cost £56. For more information, visit www.lovescotland.com/holidays/lipservice