Column
It’s a funny old world
THIS WEEK’S COLUMNIST Casualty actor Melanie Hill
A year ago, I started having a cold shower every day for three minutes after being inspired by Wim Hof. It has transformed my life. Yes, it’s freezing when you step in but I am buzzing afterwards. I am such a fan of cold showers now that I even complained recently that the shower was too hot in a hotel I stayed in! They did laugh and say, ‘We don’t normally get these kinds of complaints!’
For me, leading a healthy life is so important. As well as taking cold showers, I’ve also taken up meditation, and I try to walk every day too. My husband and I love climbing mountains, and my new role in Casualty has seen us move to a little village just outside of Cardiff. It means we can walk to my work, which is in the beautiful countryside.
I’m also interested in crystal healing, and I’ve tried to bring spirituality to my new role in the soap as clinical nurse manager Siobhan Mackenzie. Normally, I’d try to create a different character to me but for this part, I’ve tried to incorporate aspects of my own life to enrich the character.
I keep pinching myself that I’ve landed the role of Siobhan. I’m proud of all the parts I’ve played – from Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Brassed Off to meeting Robert de Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust, playing a meanie in gangster movie Finney, and starring in Coronation Street for seven years as Cathy Matthews.
But Casualty is so iconic and every time I walk on to the set, I can’t quite believe it. It’s been hugely interesting and I’ve learnt so much already, including how to do stitching. Siobhan is someone who does not take any nonsense! She is loyal and hard-working, but will be blunt if she needs to be.
What I love about acting is the chance to play women like Siobhan who have lived life, have had experiences and whose face tells a story. I find those kinds of women far more interesting to watch than 18-year-old influencers. B
