Jennifer Ellison quotes:

Going home and spending time with your family and your real friends keeps you grounded.

I was born and brought up in Liverpool with my clever little sister Jemma, who is 14 and wants to be a vet. My mum Jane is an administrator and my dad Peter is a taxi driver.

I think because I did a lot of modelling and appeared in lads mags a lot of women didn't necessarily warm to me. But now I have been through childbirth, post-natal depression and struggled with my weight, women seem to relate to me a lot more.

I wanted to have a go at a pop career. My first single, 'Baby I Don't Care', was a hit, and the second, 'Bye Bye Boy', reached the Top 20.

Dad worked in a warehouse when I was little and I didn't see him for three years as he was doing all the overtime God gave him to buy me new ballet shoes, or a new tutu.

The prima ballerinas who taught me were far more scary than Gordon Ramsay. They'd scream at me and pull my legs and arms, so after them Gordon was a piece of cake.

If it's supposed to be a really passionate snog, you slip the tongue in.

My name's Jennifer Ellison and one day I'm going to be famous!

I eat a lot of chicken with salad or salmon with salad.

I would snack on crisps and chocolate and my meals weren't the best. I ate lots of steak with creamy sauces, chips and peas, washed down with wine and a pudding.

I want to have a family and I'd like to live in a lovely big house, with a massive driveway and gates and loads of kids.

Ballet is such a disciplined craft and it has given me a good grounding.

I don't find it a struggle to maintain a healthy diet now as my palate has changed. I don't crave rich food.

I recently went mad and spent 1,000 in one afternoon on bras and knickers. I love classy, lacy stuff that makes you feel dead sexy knowing you've got it on. I've never worn stockings and suspenders, though. But I could imagine they'd make you feel really sexy worn under something formal. I think I'll save that experience and wear them under my wedding dress.

I came out of the womb born to sing and dance. I have to follow my heart.

I want to tell people that I had post-natal depression because there is so much stigma around the subject and there shouldn't be.

I had absolutely no idea how I had ballooned during my pregnancy. All I thought about was eating plenty of food to keep my baby healthy.

I know people will think it's funny because I've done glamour modelling in the past, but I felt embarrassed about my body and just wanted to cover it up.

I love performing on stage the most. It's getting that instant reaction from a live audience. There are no boundaries, you can take your character as far as you want to, you can be the craziest person ever.

I used to be such a daredevil but now I'm much more cautious.

I don't do faddy diets any more. I once did a no-carbs diet a few years ago but it made me depressed. I couldn't be doing with that!

I'm an addict for underwear.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was over the moon about it, but I was upset I wasn't married!

If the press see you looking normal they can suddenly be 'oh, she's got a spot on her face, she's having a bad day'. That can be quite cruel.

I want to be a young mum and if I didn't have to work I'd have them tomorrow. I'd like three!

I always wanted to act and sing, but my first love was ballet.

I'm very close to my family. Not like these big stars - not mentioning any names - who lose the plot and don't know who they are.

I got a mortgage at 17! I didn't even know you could get a mortgage at 17.

I want to be the best mum and I want everything to be perfect - I want a fairy tale really.

I was performing from the age of three.

I'd already put on a bit of weight before I got pregnant.

I just wanted to perform, to sing, dance and act.

Everyone thinks that just because you have a Scouse accent, then you must be 'on the rob'.