My Heroes and Heroines: Hermione Norris

Mark Foster

Our mums are friends and when we were little I told him I could easily beat him at swimming, only to find he was at the other end of the pool and back again before I had pushed away from the side. I am so impressed by the commitment that goes into training for the Olympics and I am so proud of Mark.

Judy Naake

She developed St Tropez self tan at her kitchen table and is now a millionaire. I met her on the set for Cold Feet when she used to spray tan me before my sex scenes and she’s a total diamond. She fought cancer, too, and does inspiring work for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.

Bill Nighy

I worked with him when I had just left drama school nearly 25 years ago and he has been in my life ever since. Bill is an incredibly dignified human being and has always given me brilliant advice.

JK Rowling

I read all the Harry Potter books in between takes of Cold Feet and thought they were utterly inspired. I’d love to meet her – she always comes across so well in interviews and does an awful lot for charity.

Alison Steadman

I recently did a play with Alison and I was struck by her approach to work. Despite having been an actress for twice as long as me, her enthusiasm rivals someone who has just left drama school. I know the love and dedication that takes.

Hermione will star in 'A Mother’s Son’ on ITV1 at 9pm on Sept 3

This interview also appears in SEVEN magazine, free with the Sunday Telegraph

Hermione was speaking to Rosanna Hutton

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