Sam Womack hasn’t watched ‘EastEnders’ since she left the soap two years ago.
The 46-year-old actress departed the BBC One show in January 2017 when her alter-ego Ronnie Mitchell was killed off on her wedding day, and Sam says it is "too weird" to tune into the show now because she knows the cast members in real life.
She said: "I’ve not watched ‘EastEnders’ for two years. Ever since I left the show in 2017, I can’t tune in – it’s too weird because I know all the characters in real life so well!
"In the evenings I prefer being at home rather than going out-out.
"I spend so much time away when I’m acting in the theatre that I really cherish my free time sat by the fire with the dogs, reading a book or watching a box set with the family. Home is my safe, calming space."
Sam – who has son Ben, 17, and daughter Lily-Rose, 13, with husband Mark Womack – admits the early starts on ‘EastEnders’ were "hellish", and nowadays she doesn’t go to sleep until 1.30am on a "good night".
She said: "I don’t sleep until the early hours. I’m such a night owl. I’ll try to read for an hour or so before bed instead of being on my phone or laptop, but it’s a real struggle.
"Because of the years I spent in theatre, where you work until really late, I find it hard to go to bed early.
"While on EastEnders, I had to get up at 5am to get to work, which was hellish.
"I don’t miss those early starts! On a good night I’m asleep by 1.30am."
What’s more, Sam doesn’t eat any food until 1pm, and she admits meal times can be tricky in her home because of her family’s differing tastes.
She added to Fabulous magazine: "Meal times are a nightmare. I’m pescatarian, Mark is a veggie, Lily is vegan and Ben is a carnivore, so we often have three different meals being made in the kitchen all at once.
"I don’t really eat anything until 1pm, but Lily will whip me up something delicious and healthy, like avocado or mushrooms on toast for lunch – although I do try to sneak in an egg if I can."
Sam Womack finds it ‘too weird’ to watch EastEnders
