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ME VS MY CHARACTER: JENNIFER BIDDALL
Friday 9 November
What would you say are the main differences in style between you and Jessica?
Jessica's look is very polished. She goes more for glam, dressy clothes every day. Not at all like me, I'm far more understated! I prefer to be in jeans and a jumper most of the time. Even when I go out I'm definitely a jeans girl.
How about in terms of make-up?
Because I wear quite a lot of make up at work I try not to wear much at home, maybe just a bit of mascara. It can be a bit embarrassing if people in the street ask me for a picture because I'm nothing like glam Jessica!
Did you have an idea of what Jessica would look like when you were initially cast?
When I first started I had blonde hair and I was told that Jessica was kind of a sunny, cheerleader type which was true at the beginning. Her style was quite americanised really.
Your hair has changed quite dramatically as Jessica, how did you feel about becoming a brunette?
I'm naturally a blonde but there were quite a few of us in the cast with similar hair and you couldn't tell the difference between us from the back. It was going to be too difficult to change the other girls' hair so it had to be mine. I wasn't happy at first but I like it now, I think I'm going to stay brown.
Were you surprised when you first saw yourself as your character?
I really don't like looking at myself on screen! It's not as bad if you're smiling but because Jessica has become such a moody cow that doesn't happen very often. I suppose if Jessica wears her hair up or something particularly wacky I can be a bit shocked and think 'is that really me?!'
Do you get to shop for Jessica’s wardrobe or is that left entirely to the costume department?
Because I went away immediately after I was cast I didn't go to the first shopping trip and most of the initial clothes were bought without me. I have been on a shopping trip since though and it's amazing! You try loads of stuff on and then someone else pays for it all. It's crazy!
What shops are the main sources for Jessica's wardrobe?
I would definitely say that Kookai is the main shop, although she has lots of bits from Topshop and Warehouse too.
We know that you are leaving the show soon, have you thought about what items of Jessica's clothes you would like to take with you?
Well there are some things that I have worn to death but I do have my eye on some of Jessica's boots! Other characters often refer to Jessica's designer clothes, so perhaps if they really were designer outfits I would be more interested in taking them!
If you could steal another character's style, who's would it be?
I think that most of the girls in the show look good, although I particularly like Katy Fox's style. I definitely wouldn't want to leave the house looking like Jacqui McQueen! Outside of the show Claire Cooper who plays Jacqui always looks gorgeous though.
How would you feel about playing a less glamorous character?
I'd love it! I'd love to play a role where you get to look really ugly, and then do another which transforms you into a beauty queen or something!
