It's just as well pretty Hollyoaks star Jodi Albert loves to dance - she's not one to count calories, especially when chicken and chips is on the menu

Jodi Albert plays Debbie Dean in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, and has made a big impression on viewers since joining the show in Oct last year.

The stylish brunette caught the showbiz bug early, quitting Londons Sylvia Young Theatre School to join pop group "Girl Thing", aged just 15. backed by Simon Cowell, the girls were together for over 2 years and were big in Australia and Asia.

When she left the group to join the Hollyoaks cast, Jodi moved up North and now has a lovely flat in Liverpool's trendy Albert Dock area.

Jodi, 20, has been dating Westlife singer Kian Egan, 23, for 4 months, and although there have been rumours that they plan to tie the knot, all Jodi will say for the time being is, "It's going brilliantly."

Here, she reveals to Hot Stars how she keeps slim, despite pigging out, and why chicken and chips is her favourite food.

How do you keep in shape?
I dance a lot, pretty much whenever I can. I train and take hip-hop dance classes and I love it. I go to the gym depending on how much time I have.

Does being happy in love make you eat more or less?
To be honest, I just like eating. It doesn't change for me. I always pig out and I don't worry about what I eat. I'm not a calorie counter, but I can understand how people eat more when they're under stress.

Is there anything that you won't eat?
I'm not very adventurous with food. I don't eat things I don't like the look of, so I'd never eat snails. In a posh restaurant, I always go for the easy option like chicken and chips!

Which beauty prducts do you swear by?
I absolutely love Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, which I put on my lips to keep them soft. And I'm mad about hair conditioner - at the moment I'm using Catwalk Honey And Oatmeal. I buy loads of it.

What are your essential make-up products?
Eight Hour Cream is the only thing that I put on my lips. I love it because it looks so natural. I also love mascara and my favourite is by Maybelline.

Are you obsessive about your beauty regime?
No, not obsessive, but I'm very strict about not blow-drying my hair too much. Having it styled so much for work can be damaging, so I try not to have it done more than once every four days.

Where do you have your hair done?
I have it done at work when I'm filming Hollyoaks, but I also have a hairdresser from Toni & Guy who comes over to my flat.

What perfume are you wearing at the moment?
Flowers by Kenzo. It's my favourite at the moment, but I try out lots of different ones.

How do you pamper yourself?
I like to soak in a hot bath and put on a tea tree oil face mask from The Body Shop. I also put a hot conditioning treatment in my hair and play music.

If you could change one part of your body, what would it be?
At the moment, my fingernails. They're really short and keep breaking. I'd like them to be longer, but I don't want tips as they can damage your nails and they can look fake.

How would you describe your style?
Funky. I like to wear different things - one-offs you find in little boutiques and hand-made stuff.

What is your most expensive item of clothing?
A dress that I bought for just under £1.000, but it was for an awards ceremony. It's very colourful, and short at the front and really long at the back.

What's been your biggest fashion disaster?
When I was in Girl Thing, I had to wear a red hat, as I was supposed to be the cute one. I'd be on sm:tv or something and I always had some variation for he red hat. I burnt it when I left the band!

Typed Up by Lynchi