Iam so happy with my life right now, Patsy says fixing me with her huge, blue eyes. My family is complete and I have a great job. Ive finally got some normality back into my life. Ive discovered I can now lead a private life its a luxury.

Patsys new private life is clearly a luxury she is not willing to compromise and its understandable. Shes been the source of many a headline in her 33-year showbiz career. Since stepping into the spotlight at four years old, shes starred in Hollywood films, been married three times to rock stars, and faced her demons along the way. But now, at 37, its a different story. Shes a single mother-of- two and a scene-stealing soap star in ITV1s Emmerdale, playing the glamorous Sadie King.

Patsy is the ultimate professional on the day of our shoot she arrives wearing over-sized sunglasses, dressed in white, and with her blonde hair wet and loose, then graciously introduces herself to all the team. Shes smaller than I expected 5ft 5in but with her glowing tan and husky tones she has real star quality. In fact, when we shoot her on the balcony of the hotel, she proves she literally has the ability to stop traffic.

However, she acts oblivious and prefers to strike up banter with the hair stylist and giggle about the fact her eldest son James, 12, is receiving phone calls from female admirers. Im sure I wasnt that forward at their age, she says with a wink.

As far as Patsys own lovelife is concerned, shes reportedly single. Though she says, I do date, but I dont feel the need to tell everyone about it. I dont want to share that part of my life with everyone. I learnt the hard way, so I wont discuss my lovelife now.

Patsys had her fingers burnt more than once when it comes to men. Since divorcing Oasiss Liam Gallagher, her (third) husband of three years and father to her son, Lennon, five, in 2000, Patsy has been romantically linked to some well-known men, including comedian and laydees man David, although she explains they are now just friends. (She was also married to Big Audio Dynamites Dan for three years from 1988 and Simple Minds Jim the father of James for four years from 1992.)

I dont read celebrity magazines and for a reason, she says. If I read them, Id become addicted. Itd be like if I ate junk food. Ive got two children, a job and way too many things on my mind to fill it with celebrity gossip.

But its not just Patsys lovelife thats been taking up column space. Her weight has also been heavily featured Patsy was a very skinny size 6 during her 20s, and is now a healthy and curvier size 8-10. She revealed recently she starved herself in order to stay thin something she admits wasnt wise. The whole diet thing isnt relevant to me any more. I did follow a balanced diet at one stage when I first started Emmerdale, but I think its become an obsession with everyone else, rather than with me.

Despite the rumours about whether Patsy has or hasnt gone under the knife, up close, she doesnt show signs of someone whos experimented a lot with surgery. Her skin is blemish-free and the only wrinkles I can see are tiny laughter lines. As Patsy chats about her acting career in soapland, it appears she has little time to worry about calories or any nip/tuck nonsense. Since joining Emmerdale last April, my life is so busy I have to organise it like a military operation, she says nibbling a prawn tempura. I still live in Notting Hill, but travel up to Leeds to film my scenes the most Im ever away from James and Lennon is four nights a week. When I signed my new contract which takes me to September next year, I sat down with my family and discussed moving to Leeds, but my sons werent keen. Theyre at school together, James is in the football team, they have their friends, and theyre settled. The commuting isnt a big deal. I also have a fabulous nanny, Judith, whos been with us for years.

And what about the northern chill is that a big deal? Yes, she laughs. I dont feel the cold as much as I used to I was freezing for the first few months. The costume department thought I was hilarious because I used to come in wearing 12 layers. But now they say Ive got Yorkshire running through my veins and tease me about turning into a Yorkshire lass. I love it up there Id quite happily live up north.

Patsys also pleased shes been able to put her years as a rock stars wife firmly behind her. Appearing in Emmerdale has changed peoples perception of me, she says seriously. People see me as an actress now. Going into the soap was a big risk for everyone for the makers and for me. I could have failed there were probably people out there who expected me to. So much has been said and written about me, I had to make sure people would accept me as Sadie King, my character, and not just me in a soap. I think they have although they dont necessarily like Sadie. As long as theyre enjoying watching her as much as I enjoy playing her, Im happy. Shes a bit of a schemer isnt she? I live vicariously through her.

In a one-hour special this week, Sadie is up to her old tricks when she scuppers Zoes plans to flee the country ahead of her trial. Sadie will stop at nothing to get what she wants and refuses to let Zoe stand in her way, Patsy says. But it wasnt just the big storyline which impressed Patsy. I arrive to the scene by seaplane. I wore a D&G suit and amazing Marc shoes which I kissed when I first saw them. Unfortunately they were only borrowed for that one episode, she says.

Patsy certainly knows what she likes, and as she slips into a pair of black trousers for the next shot and everyone admires her figure, she ponders over whether she should buy them for herself. With Patsy, theres no messing about between changes. Out of the rail of designer clothes, she is clear about what flatters her petite frame feminine silky blouses, fitted trousers and heels.

Patsy seems all too aware of the downsides of fame so much so, she shudders when she utters the word celebrity and swiftly substitutes it for famous person. She throws her head back with laughter when I ask her about her famous friends like Liz. I find it so funny when people ask me that, she says, her hand covering her face. My best friend in the whole world is Ange, and shes just a regular mum. Im also good friends with Davina. I do go out and have fun with them, but Im going to sound a right dick if I start reeling off names. Im not really part of that trendy, fashionable party crowd. Its not me any more.

By the sounds of things, Patsy prefers to hang out at Arsenals Highbury ground than at celeb bashes with the cool crowd. James allowed me to take him to Arsenal not so long ago which I was honoured to do. I say allowed as its normally something he does with his dad, Jim. I was brought up a Spurs fan, so to go to Highbury is true mothers love. It was one of the best evenings we had together. I didnt wear an Arsenal top, but I did have hot chips in the stand. They scored seven goals I think he thinks Im his lucky mascot now.

In between chanting in the footie stands and causing a stir on screen in The Woolpack, Patsy still finds time to glam up. She recently slipped into her black Armani gown to walk the red carpet at the TV Quick Awards where the soap picked up a gong for best storyline. I love going to the dos its great for star spotting! she smiles. Walking down the red carpet doesnt bother me, its part of the job. But its nice that a year on, when I walk down the carpet, people see me as an actress from Emmerdale and not just Patsy .