WEDDING PLANS WITH KIAN AND HOW SHE MISSED OUT ON TOPPING THE SPICE GIRLS

You can see why men absolutely adore Jodi Albert, who plays Debbie Dean in Hollyoaks, and why women want to be her. On meeting Jodi in the flesh, the 20-year-old brunette is absolutely stunning. She's also very down to earth and, during the OK! Photo-shoot, joked and laughed with all the crew

Aside from her show-stopping looks Jodi's career is going from strength to strength. She's already made her mark in Hollyoaks, and was recently nominated at the Inside Soap Awards in the Best Newcomer category, despite only being in the Channel 4 soap for a year.

And to top all this, she now has a world-famous boyfriend on her arm. The dusky brunette has been dating Westlife hunk Kian Egan for the last six months. Although the loved-up couple have only been together for a short while, they have known each other for a long time. The London lass first met the 23-year-old boyband singer five years ago when she was a member of girl group Girl Thing - who were touted as the next big thing after the Spice Girls.

Talking exclusively to PK!, Jodi is very coy when speaking about her blossoming relationship and, although she says they are both very happy together, she denies wedding bells are imminent.

Jodi talks about her challenging role as a feisty waitress on the teen soap. Since joining Hollyoaks she has been involved in several major storylines, with her on-screen boyfriend Dan arrested for murder, and her little sister Steph being attacked. She also discuss the demise of Girl Thing, why she won't rule out a future music career - and reveal her dream to appear alongside John Travolta.

You've been at Hollyoaks for a year now. Has the time gone quickly?
It has, but I feel I've been here much longer. I settled in and made friends with the cast and crew really quickly. I'm really settled.

Do you feel you've fallen into a routine in Hollyoaks or are there always new challenges?
For me there are still a lot of storylines that I am yet to achieve with Debbie and there's a lot more about her that I could explore. I think Hollyoaks is a brilliant place to be for a young actress. I've just been like a sponge and soaked everything up!

Do you watch yourself on TV or do you find it too embarrassing?
Yes, I do watch myself. I think it's very important for me to see the shows otherwise I'll never learn anything. If I find myself cringing when I'm watching myself, then I need to find a way to correct what I've done wrong. That's how I learn.

There are so many gorgeous girls on the show. Does it put pressure on you if you walk in on a Monday not feeling great?
That is just something that is hyped about Hollyoaks. We do have a pretty cast, but we don't feel any pressure. None of us walk around and go: "Oh yeah, we're gorgeous." We just get on and film our scenes.

Who is your best mate on the show?
Carley Stenson (who plays Steph). From the moment I started, she's been an absolute angel to me. She couldn't do enough for me and I don't forget things like that. Mersey TV is a big place and for me, coming from a girlband where you are wrapped up in cotton wool, it is a very different environment.

You're only 20, but you've done so much...
When I did Girl Thing I was only 15 but I had been training for it since I was 13. So there I was signed to a record label and hanging around with older people. Even at home I hung with my older sister, who is now 29, and we are best friends.

How do you look back on Girl Thing now?
I wouldn't change it for the world but in some ways, I'm pleased it didn't work. Obviously, at the time, I would have loved for us to have been a hit but I wouldn't be the person I am now. It was a manufactured band and we were given songs that were written for us. My heart lies in music but if I'm going to do music I want it to be so much deeper.

With Girl Thing you worked with Simon Cowell. What was he like?
We were signed with him - I really like Simon. We got on well and he was lovely to me. He does know what he's talking about, but he definitely plays up to the camera on Pop Idol.

Did he wear the same high trousers?
Yes! We were the first to take the mickey out of him for his trousers. Michelle used to walk around with her trousers hoisted up high in front of Simon when we were doing our video shoots!

So tell us about your boyfriend, Kian Egan!
He's lovely!

With your busy lives, is it difficult to see enough of each oterh?
It's hard because I'm doing Hollyoaks five nights now and he's always so busy. But we just make sure that we make the time.

Tell us something about him that we might not already now…
There has been so much written about him that I think you know everything!

Will we be hearing wedding bells soon?
We've only been going out for six months. We're not getting married. Things are going very well but it is still in the very early days.

Do you get on well with the rest of Westlife?
I've known them since I was 15 and toured with them when I was in Girl Thing, so I get on well with all of the boys. I'd say that they're like my big brothers.

Do you try and join Kian and the boys when they're touring?
Yes, as much as I can. I have tried to hook up with him whenever possible on Westlife's latest tour.

And you've just had a lovely holiday with him in Barbados. Tell us about that…
It was a really fantastic holiday. We did everything - we went scuba driving, surfing, went on a catamaran, swam with turtles - that was so amazing because we fed them in the water and they came right up to my hand. It was incredible.

Where will you be spending Christmas?
I'll be at home in London with my family.

Will you be going to Shane Filan and Gillian Walsh's wedding on December 28?
Yes I will. I'm sure Gillian will look absolutely beautiful. I haven't bought my own dress yet, but I do have a few ideas for what I'll be wearing.

What will Kian give you for Christmas?
I don't have anything specific in mind. He has such a wonderful taste and I know I'll love whatever it is decides to get me.