EastEnders - Samantha Janus is living the dream

27 November 2007 - Samantha Janus still can't believe she has got a part in 'EastEnders'.

The soap star - who has been playing feisty Mitchell sister Ronnie for six months - has to pinch herself to make sure it isn't a dream.

Samantha told Britain's Inside Soap magazine: "Every now and again you get a reality check. We were filming some Christmas scenes the other day, and I couldn't believe that I was standing in the middle of Albert Square singing carols! I had to pinch myself - it's bonkers.

"When I started it was terrifying. I'd never been in a soap before, or anything similar."

But the 35-year-old actress - who has a six-year-old son, Benjamin, and two-year-old daughter, Lily-Rose, with her actor husband, Mark Womack - has been put at ease acting in the soap by her onscreen family.

She said: "It's a lovely team, because I'm close to Rita Simons, who plays Roxy, and Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden, who play Peggy and Phil, are old mates of mine.

"Also, I'm now working with Scott Maslen, who plays Jack and who I've known for years. I feel really privileged because of that. Going into work every day and being surrounded by such a close unit of friends is a really nice position to be in."

(C) BANG Media International