The lunch was held at the SaReGama, Fortina Hotel’s Indian restaurant. In fact, Amanda’s visit is part of the hotel’s programme to market their spa-bedrooms abroad, by inviting celebrities to spend some days in their exclusive bedrooms. The word is getting across, director Michael Zammit Tabona explained, and these celebrity visits are being given good coverage by prestigious magazines in the UK and other European countries.

Amanda was born in Ashton-under-Lyne into a theatrical family. Her most famous part to date is probably the role of Alma, which she played in the popular Coronation Street soap-opera. However, her TV parts also include the role of Margo Philips in Doctors and that of Beverly Tull in BBC’s Bad Girls series.

Her most recent appearance was as a guest on Hell’s Kitchen. She also played Hermia in Midsummer Night’s Dream, also for the BBC and a part in Are You Being Served? and Spooner’s Patch.

Some of her West End credits include On the Brighter Side at the Phoenix and Comedy theatres, See You Inside at the Duchess theatre and A Public Mischief, at St Martin’s. She also played Dotty in Noises Off at the Savoy.

One of her passions is horse racing, Amanda explained, both for the horses and the betting. She also collects Victorian toys, especially wooden horses and teddy bears. At the moment she lives in Covent Garden, right beneath the Opera House, but likes travelling and being on tour often.