THIS IS ENGLAND '86 IS OUT ON DVD AND BLU-RAY NOW*

Vicky McClure is one seriously hot biscuit right now. Best known for her work with writer and director Shane Meadows, she played the title character's sister Ladine in his 1999 flick A Room For Romeo Brass, then went on to play Frances 'Lol' Jenkins in This Is England, a role she reprised in TV series This Is England '86. Since then, Bizarre's online forums have been buzzing with readers praising both the show and Vicky's amazing acting.

We caught up with her to chat about how she handled those challenging rape scenes, as well as the more laid-back topics of farting, swearing and shaven ball-sacks...

As Lol in This Is England '86, you had to act out some horrifying scenes of sexual abuse and violence. Many of our readers are asking how you prepared for these...

I'm lucky that I've never experienced rape in real life, but I was acutely aware that - because so many people have been genuine victims - it was important to me that I did those scenes justice, and accurately portrayed the severe brutality and fear. I had to take myself to a dark place to get in character. I drew upon personal bad memories of other awful situations to dredge up true, raw emotion, and listened to a lot of moving music before the cameras started rolling. In particular, I played some instrumental tracks by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi, which are used on screen too. I had a lot of support from Shane and the rest of the cast and crew, and Johnny Harris - who plays Lol's dad and rapist, Mick - and I spent some time alone getting deep before we had to go through it together.

Acting such a scenario must have been traumatic. How did you come back down to earth afterwards?

It was emotionally destroying, and physically demanding - I was covered in bruises and Johnny accidentally broke his hand when he caught it on the hard floor while acting out a punch. Thank God he missed my face! I was sharing a flat with associate producer Libby Durdy at the time and, after I'd finished that scene, she found me lying on the floor, completely messed up. We shot it on my first day on set, so I was thrown in at the deep end. In a way that was good because, afterwards, we filmed some more humorous, affectionate scenes that helped me lighten up again. We all went out for a meal and a drink that night to laugh the day out of our systems.

Do people who recognise you on the street confuse you with the character you play?

Lol cheats on her lovable partner, Woody, with his best friend, and I've been shouted at in the street a few times by people who forget that This Is England '86 isn't real! I think it must be harder for Johnny, though. His role as a despicable father who beats and attacks his own daughter was bloody hard to play, especially as Johnny's the nicest guy in the world. I bet he's glad to be able to shave that haunting beard off now. That thing should've had its own award for looking so frightening!

Speaking of beards, the press has been banging on about the cast's 1980s hairdos - but as this is Bizarre, we're going to ask for your opinion on men with pubic skinheads...

Fuck it, do whatever you feel necessary to your pubes, guys! A trim is fine, but highlighting your groin is a no-no.

What's the most regrettable look you've ever sported?

At school I wore Karl Kani jeans - a tacky denim brand you bought off market stalls. Nowadays I'm a muse for alt.make-up brand Illamasqua, so they make sure I don't rock any dodgy facial looks, at least! I'm a massive backer of the S.O.P.H.I.E. charity, which Illamasqua support. It's fucking brilliant to learn that Bizarre also plays a big part in supporting that campaign too.

What were you like at school?

Stupid and goofy. I had a friend called Nicky who was my partner in crime, and we'd do dumb things like turn up dressed as Mary and Jesus to RE lessons, give birth to piles of rags on the floor, then kneel at our desks mock-praying. I was a doofus, always trying to entertain people. I guess it was the 'drama' in me starting to show! I was also into dancing: I auditioned for the Royal Ballet, and for a while I considered being a dance teacher.

Tell us about your most terrible toilet experience.

Having explosive, simultaneous sickness and diarrhoea at a mate's house when I was 14. Thankfully, the sink was close to the loo and ballet made me very flexible, so I was able to lean over and expel both substances into suitable receptacles!

What's your favourite swearword?

Twat. I'm from Nottingham, and "You fuckin' twat" is a very satisfying thing to spit out with my accent.

What's the worst thing you've ever smelled?

A friend's fart after they'd eaten at Wagamama!

And the foulest thing you've ever tasted?

The most disgusting food on earth is rice pudding. I despise it. A dinner lady once forced me to eat it and I threw up on her shoes.

You were in the comedy film Filth And Wisdom, directed by Madonna, who has sodding huge biceps! Who'd win in an arm wrestle between you and Madge?

Aw, you should've seen me when I met Madonna! It was in a strip club where she was auditioning pole dancers for the film. I was trying to play it cool, rummaging through my handbag, pretending to find some chewing gum so I wouldn't have to look her in the eye, because I was so in awe of the Queen Of Pop that I thought I was going to lose it! I went to her 52nd birthday party, which was a surreal moment. She's a perfectionist with a strong vision, and she's great to work with. She's also very toned - I don't exercise at all, so I think she'd take me if we arm wrestled. I'd give her a run for her money, though! We had an arm wrestling competition on the set of a short film I was in about political activists called Enough Rope, and I beat everyone, including the men.

What are your future plans?

Nothing's definite, but Shane's said that if - if - we make another This Is England, it'll centre around the 1990s rave scene, and he's also mentioned a possible Christmas special. For the first time in my career I'm able to cherry-pick the roles offered to me, which is insanely exciting. I'm so grateful to be in this position. I'd like to do something light and play a character that's not so hard for a change, and I'll also be doing much more with Illamasqua.

No-one can be as freakin' cool as Lol in real life. Tell us something embarrassingly sad about yourself.

I'm like an old biddy with how much I love slippers, and I have to wear them all the bloody time. My favourite is a stripy pair that my sister got me from Next. I'm also obsessive about stationary, and I get excited about fresh notebooks and buying a new diary every year. If you want to impress me, don't take me to an underground punk club - just let me loose in Paperchase!

*THIS IS ENGLAND '86 IS OUT ON DVD AND BLU-RAY NOW*