FOUR years ago, before I decided to embark on a career in journalism, I had a rigid Sunday morning ritual involving both pleasure and pain.

Dragging myself out of bed, I carried out a massive damage limitation exercise on my body after Saturday night's alcohol intake, and prepared for my weekly fix.

With pounding head and bloodshot eyes I would wait patiently for the omnibus edition of Channel 4's Hollyoaks.

Of course, it wasn't Hollyoaks - the place where only beautiful young things live - it was the gorgeous character Dawn Cunningham. But she was mercilessly taken from our screens by Channel 4 after losing her battle with leukaemia.

Alas Hollyoaks has never been the same again.

So it's no surprise I found myself feeling unusually nervous when I was asked to interview Lisa Williamson, who played Dawn, earlier this week. In fact, a tongue-tied, lovesick teenager would be a closer description.

The actress is playing Mrs De Winter in Daphne Du Maurier's classic novel Rebecca - the story of a young bride embroiled in treachery and love after moving to the Cornish countryside - which comes to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre early next month.

And although she has been busy since leaving the soap, this is the first time she has starred in a theatre production.

"I'm really enjoying it," she said.

"I did a panto last year which I really enjoyed, but I wanted to become involved in theatre work. So when this came along I was delighted.

"It's such a well-known story and people really empathise with my character.

"But being new to it I find it a real adrenaline rush every time I start at a new theatre.

"I really like the immediacy of theatre. You know straight away whether the audience likes you or not."

When not treading the boards, the 31-year-old has been writing a play with three former Hollyoaks' stars and has been busy filming a feature film, Red Dress, which is being released shortly.

"I really am looking forward to Cheltenham. I've heard it's a lovely theatre," she added.

"People really have seemed to enjoy the production so far and there is a great cast, so I hope audiences in Cheltenham like it as well."

Tickets to the play, being shown between Tuesday, July 3, and Saturday, July 7, are available from the theatre's box office on 01242 572573 and cost between £6 and £16.