From Geoi:

Hello Jessica!

First off, thanks so much for doing this Q&A for us!

I hope my question isn't too personal. I have a 5 year old daughter, and I know that being a mother is not an easy job. I also know that being an actor is a very demanding and tough job as well. So I was curious about what it's like for you to be a mum and a famous actress. Like, is it difficult to raise children while you're shooting? Do you get to have your family come with you on location, and to sets and things, or do you generally go it alone? What's your work week like while you are filming? Are your kids proud that you're an actress, or are they annoyed by the fans and fame? Things like that. Thanks again!

Cheers!

I have gone through several stages as a working mother – the first was complete exhaustion brought about by my determination to do it all brilliantly – play with the kids in an enthusiastic educational way every second I had, fold all their socks, spend every spare moment I wasn’t working doting on them, and sacrifice time with myself and time with my husband because I felt guilty I wasn’t with them 24/7. That didn’t work, I was miserable and worn out – I wasn’t living an existence that was sustainable and I totally burnt out. So now I try and focus daily on the things that really matter and that make me happy – I would like to live in a constantly tidy house but if it’s a toss up between folding socks or spending time writing – I’ll write, the socks can take care of themselves. Equally if all I can manage at the end of the day is slumping down in front of the telly with my kids I’ll do it and enjoy it, I’ve realised that they appreciate a snuggle in front of the telly as much as building a card board castle from scratch, if I’m happy they are happy, end of story.  You don’t have to do it all, you just have to do enough. X

From Jover Field, 28, Essex:

What is your advice to an aspiring female comedy writer and performer? 

Hello Jover!

My advice to any aspiring young actresses’ is never give up and never give in! It is better to live with the uncertainty of dreams than with the certainty of none.  Go to plays, make friends and just keep at it, wherever you end up will be where you are meant to be. X

From Dominic Vulliamy from Manchester:

Jessica, I can't get enough of yours and Julia's radio show on Resonance FM "June Loves Janet/ Peppatits", and was so delighted to have it return this year! Are there any plans to make this a regular occurrence? And will you and Julia have more collaboration in the future? I think you are superb together - and indeed separately!

Thank’s

Hello Dominic!

Julia and I were working separately and together this year to produce a great script and treatment for our series Peppatits. Julia still had very small twins and I was doing the play, so time together was difficult to arrange which made collaboration difficult - inspite of this we created a great script and treatment which the BBC was very interested in. Unfortunately the experience for Julia left her feeling wary of committing to a series - her twins are still tiny and making a series is time consuming and stressful - especially if you are working with a passionate opinionated stubborn bitch like me! The sad thing was the script we arrived at was REALLY GOOD. Basically she has pulled back from it to decide if it's what she really wants to do and to be with her twins who still need her so much. I still hope it happens, she is a truly inspiring actress and writer and I would love to work with her....

From Josie Hynes:

Congratulations on your marriage. I have also married a Hynes. My husband is very proud of his surname and has done some research of its origins:

Do you know anything about your new surname and where it originates from?

Hello Josie!

Its origins are irish - probably O'Heain originally, shortened to Hynes to make it easier for the British to say! My Father in law is from County Clare in Ireland so that might give you more of a clue, but that is all I know - Adam's great uncle was a society cartoonist called Edward Hynes, we have loads of his sketches and drawings and an amazing letter he wrote home during the second world war. I know there is a web-site where you can join the Hynes clan and go to reunion's and things - I might save that one for retirement!! Congratulations on getting married as well!!!

Do you have a new nickname now your surname has changed?

I don't have a new nickname now my name has changed - Simon still calls me 'Hynes' in an exaggerated sarcastic ironic way that only he knows how - although I think he's accepted it now! X

Thank you.

From Beverley Matthews (waitingforsimon):

If you where a superhero what power would you want and why?

Hello Beverley!

If I was a superhero I would be like JUSTINE who is the hero of my comic (still in the writing stage) She is super-strong, super-agile, super-brave and when she get's mad - she get's even. Infact - that's an exclusive Beverly - no official announcement has yet been made, but it's definately happening!

From Lauren Mckenzie (GetOffMeYouBummer!):

RAWR! Jess:) I'm so excited to be asking you questions, I nearly did a wee when I read it! Only nearly though...I'm 16, I mean that would be awful. Thank you for taking time out to answer our questions; you really are an inspiration, in my opinion the greatest comic actress in the UK by far. Anyway here are my questions:
 
I'm an obsessive Spaced fan and I read somewhere that the whole Idea was conceived in Nottingham? Being a Nottingham girl myself I wondered if you like the city and if you ever visit the city? If not, why not grab Mr Pegg, come visit, so we can have a slow motion gun fight in the middle of the square? Yes please. heheh (:

Thank you so much for this, this made my 2008 even better!

Hello Lauren!

Well the idea was not concieved in Nottingham, but the first episode was. The idea was concieved, appropriately, while I was homeless and living on my sisters living room floor. I wrote the treatment on my little electric typewriter, showed it to Simon, he loved it and the rest, they say, Is history!

Lastly, have you got any advice to a young aspiring writer/actress? P.S I already tried bogelling to Aswad ;)

If you want to succeed you have to keep bogling to Aswad Lauren - I don't think you are doing it enough, that might be the problem. Have a great 2009!!! X

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

From Gracie Wainwright:

Okay, can I just say that you are my idol, and are like the best comic actress EVER in my opinion, you are ssssssoooooooooooo amazingly talented and very pretty and cool. Plus you are mates with Simon Pegg which is just friggin AWSOME!!!

I was just going to ask you, what do you have planned for the future, as you must be getting so many film roles shoved through your door!! haha

Hello Gracie!

The future right now is going to New York for 5 months to do The Norman Conquest's on Broadway! I'm taking my kids for the adventure, and then unless something comes up, we're planning a road trip across the states afterwards! Writing wise I'm writing JUSTINE - my first comic, and developing a couple of films. 

Do you think Daisy and Tim would ever had made it as a couple, and if not, why not?

I think Tim and Daisy could have made it as a couple, but I don't know if it would have lasted - I was never sure if Tim REALLY loved Daisy, I think he liked her a lot, but he wasn't IN LOVE with her I don't think. I mean Daisy's obviously gay.......

Thank you for your time,
Your sincerely BIG fan Gracie

From Lisa Trapp:

You're obviously a very talented comedienne, but who/what makes you laugh?

Hello Lisa!

I love Tony Hancock, Richard Pryor, Woody Allen, Joan rivers, Eric Morcambe, Peter Sellars, Steve Coogan, Victoria wood, Madeline Khan, Jack Black, Ben Stiller.

People trying to picking something up but accidentally kicking it out of the way instead.

Deliberating mishearing someone over and over again - i.e; Q - "D'you want a sweet?" A- "Do I want a sleep?" Q- "No, d'you want a sweet?" A- Do I want a sheep?" etc and so on and so forth (It can go on forever)

People with an overinflated opinion of themselves and no sense of humor being exposed - i.e Tom Cruise attacking a journalist in the crowd for squirting water at him.

Are you ticklish? Where/how much?

I hate being tickled - I find it traumatic and always tickle my children gently as I don't want to scar them for life, my waist is my weak spot. X

From Joanna Bradley (butterfly):

What was your favourite TV programme as a child and as you have young children now, do you have any current favourites?

Hello Joanna!

The rockford files was a particular favorite, but probably the A-team OVERALL. Spongebob square pants is consistently hilarious, clever, irreverent, philosophical and challenging. X

From Kirsty Walker, Hemel Hempstead:

Hi Ya,

Dear Jess, first of all I’ve never had the pleasure of asking you a question before so I wanna start by saying well done for all you have accomplished, I’m a massive fan and I think your fab (hope you haven't puked yet) Anyways, my first question is –

Out of everything you have done in your career what has been the best and most fondest memory for you?

Hello Kirsty!

Probably the best moment for me was my very first job. I got paid one thousand pounds to play a secretary in a corporate video, I was eighteen years old and when the day was over, this lovely older actress took me to the bar and bought me a marguerita - which I had never had before. She toasted me and my future career and told me I'd done a good job. I remember thinking that I never wanted to forget that moment, and I never have.

My second question would be (bearing in mind this is coming from a major spaced fan), Do you and Simon still keep in contact and are you friends?

Simon and I still keep in contact via e-mail and stuff. X

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

From Harmony (MyDogAteLA), Peggster.net:

Let's say both are real and each event would only happen once...

Would you rather come face to face with a ghost in your home or see a UFO hovering overhead while outside alone at night? Why? Why not the other?

You're awesome, Jess!

Hello Harmony!

I would rather see a U.F.O hovering overhead as I have been preparing for interplanetary visitors for sometime - In fact when I was younger I packed a bag for exactly that eventuality. I think an alien would the hardest audience to crack, but if you could make them laugh you would effectively rule the universe. I wouldn't like to see a ghost because I just wouldn't know what to say; 'Sorry your dead.?' You know - It would just be awkward. X

From Christina Collister:

My first question, was what made you do Dr Who? Was it you who approached Russell T. Davis or your kids persuading you? By the way you were fantastic in Dr Who (family of blood) – of that series it was definitely the best 2 programmes!

Hello Christina!

I was offered the part and I just said yes straight away - brilliant part, brilliant series, brilliant doctor - it was an obvious choice.

Sorry very last question are you going to be doing anything else with David tenant,as I thought learners was brilliant!

I'd love to work with David again but there is nothing planned - I expect he probably wants a holiday now anyway! X

I am a big fan of yours I think you are so cool!

From Louise Muir (psychic_house_hunter):

I get to ask questions now :) so, my questions are - 

If you could recreate a scene from any film what would it be any why?

Hello Louise!

In Being There - a Hal Ashby film starring Peter Sellers, when Chance, the gardner comes out of the house after twenty years of never leaving. In three minutes of film Hal Ashby encapsulates twenty years of American decay - great track - the funked up version of 2001 - brilliant film.

I know you love music so what’s currently the most played track on your iPod or CD in your CD player?

Currently I'm listening to the sound track to Midnight Cowboy - makes me feel excited about going to New York when part of me is TERRIFIED!!!!! Also Eric Bibb - 'Don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down..'

Thank you so much for doing this.

Tc fm Lou