Cupboard love; Emily Tucker opens the door on her fashion ideas.

Byline: HYWEL TREWYN

CWPWRDD DILLAD S4C, Wednesday, 9pm, with subtitles

ALTHOUGH her character in TV soap Pobol y Cwm is both a bitch and a bully, in real life young actress Emily Tucker couldn't be more different.

Pleasant and personable, Emily celebrated her 18th birthday last September - the same month she made her first appearance in the popular soap.

Emily is also a dedicated follower of fashion and is one of Nia Parry's guests in Wednesday's edition of S4C's Cwpwrdd Dillad.

On the programme, presenter Nia looks through Emily's wardrobe, and the two discuss style, fashion and shopping Emily auditioned for the highly successful film, High School Musical 3, where she played Sharay and had to show her singing, dancing and acting skills all at the same time.

Emily said: "For the audition, there was obviously an American feel, so I wore an outfit that had a 'squeaky clean teen' feel to it, complete with leg warmers and even a flower in my hair.

"I follow fashion, and I admit that I like to dress up and be the first to wear something new. But I also like to put a personal stamp on things by accessorising." Emily shows off a special pink dress she wore on her 18th birthday.

The teenager, whose dress size is 6 to 8, said: "I've got a huge wardrobe.

I go shopping every week. I like wearing men's' clothes such as a shirt from Topman, perhaps, with a waistbelt, jeans and boots. I like to wear something a little bit different but still matching. But, I've got to feel comfortable."

Her mum helps her with honest opinions.

Emily is fascinated by the world of fashion. She likes high street fashion and often picks up ideas when she visits London.

Emily said: "It seems that anything goes fashion-wise in London." Although she does enjoy visiting boutiques, one of Emily's favourite shops is Topshop. She also buys a lot of clothes online.

Her favourite designers include Kate Moss, Stella McCartney and Karen Millen.

Having hazel-green eyes, it's not surprising that Emily's favourite colour is green.

"I don't wear orange normally - unless I've got a nice tan!" She plays the character of Sioned Rees, a schoolgirl whose topsy-turvy life saw her parents split up, an event that had a profound effect on her.Sioned is a "typical" teenage girl who enjoys having fun but her character has also got a more sinister, darker side stemming from her need for attention and affection.

Sioned's recent exploits included forcing the school's headmistress daughter (Lois) to hand over her savings so Sioned could buy Christmas presents for her family.

Emily expertly played Sioned as a conniving and manipulative 'Lolita' trying to come between her cousin Cadno and partner Eifion.

She had plenty of stage experience before joining Pobol y Cwm - which has proved invaluable.

She said: "Pobol y Cwm was exactly what I wanted to do." Two of Emily's acting heroes are Heath Ledger and Johnny Depp - for their abilities to change character.

Emphasising that Sioned's character is nothing like her own,

Emily said: "Sioned stays in Cwmderi and in the BBC.

"It's nice to experience playing a bitch. She's a troubled teen just finding things out for herself. She has a heart of gold and wants to please people." The former Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr pupil left Coleg Gorseinon where she studied dance and drama because she wanted to find work as an actress.

She's worked in film - Love Actually - and appeared in TV - Y Pris, High Hopes and Belonging - as well as theatre - High School Musical, A Chorus Line and Les Miserables - often playing lead parts and showing off her singing talents.

While noting that going to the theatre and socialising as her other interests it's clear that this dedicated follower of fashion will soon have to find more space to keep her clothes..

CAPTION(S):

Dedicated follower of fashion Emily Tucker (main) and as Sioned Rees, with her screen family Denzil and Eileen in S4C's Pobol y Cwm