Laila Rouass Quotes

"I'm half Moroccan and half Indian so I have quite an adventurous taste in food."

"My mother's incredibly independent and she brought us up to be the same. She had five daughters and two sons and only allowed one mirror in the house because she didn't want us to be obsessed with our looks or weight."

"My father is Moroccan and I have fond childhood memories of holidays there."

"I was brought up a Muslim and I respect the religion I was born into, but I don't practise it. However, I do believe in thanking God for my happy life."

"I tried Botox once and I looked demented."

"While other people were dreaming of big cars and houses, I just wanted a huge dressing room."

"I get really bad road rage, and if my daughter is in the car I have to bite my lip and try not to swear."

"I always try to be healthy - brown rice, brown pasta."

"Sometimes I'll put on a Zig Ziglar tape: he's a motivational speaker who is really funny and really American. I know I should do the things he says, but I'm too cynical."

"I like the idea of marriage, but I think I'm a nomad."

"Every time I tell someone that I'm doing 'Spooks,' they're like, 'Wow!' That's a guaranteed reaction. It's such a high-end show, it's so sexy and slick and smooth."

"A lot of mums are torn between their work and missing out on important milestones in their children's lives."

"I'm not in a rush to walk down the aisle."

"When somebody openly talks about having depression, it's a very brave thing to do."

"I come from a big family and I was never completely on my own."

"I wouldn't say I am practicing Muslim - I don't go to the mosque or anything, but it's part of my identity."

"I find that a small sacrifice such as switching off my phone and blocking out work helps me stay balanced."

"The make-up on 'Footballers' Wives' is unbelievable - there's loads of fake tan."

"I sometimes meditate."

"My biggest financial fear is dying and not leaving enough to see my daughter through to adulthood and financial independence."

"When I had my daughter and split up with her father six months later, I had a really hard time."

"As a single parent, it can really be tough if the father's not in the picture much. Physically, emotionally and financially, you are trying to be there for your child and it can really get on top of you."

"I believe that a university education should be free as it is unfair on people who cannot afford to pay for it."

"My mum, who comes from Goa, wanted us to develop our minds when we were kids, so she used to turn the electricity off at weekends so we couldn't sit watching the telly."

"Mohammed Ali. He's much more than a boxer. He's also a passionate idealist who fought for his people. I respect him - and, of course, he was very handsome in his younger days."

"It was quite emotional leaving 'Holby' but it was the right time. I was working long hours and wanted to spend more time with my daughter."

"When I was younger I used to volunteer at the Mother Teresa charities in India."

"I've always wanted to adopt."

"Every break-up is unique. But when there are children involved you don't know where to turn."

"I'm the sole provider for my child, I don't get any help. I'm not saying we're poverty stricken, but it does mean I have to work hard."