“A minute on the lips and a lifetime on the hips – I bake too much,” says cupcake enthusiast and Rickmansworth actress Sally Samad, who will be starring in The World Goes Round – The Songs of Kander & Ebb at St James Theatre, in London.

The 39-year-old, who loves sitting down with a piece of cake and cup of coffee in the evenings, will be starring for the second time in this five-star rated musical extravaganza, which features songs from the legendary songwriting duo’s shows such as Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Act and Flora the Red Menace.

Sally, who will be performing alongside Debbie Kurup and Oliver Tompsett, says when she did the show the first time round at the Pheasantry in Chelsea, the calibre of cast, the production and the material, made the experience the highlight of her career at that time.

“It sounds corny, but I wrote to my producer and said to him ‘Thank you for the opportunity to do this because it really has been one of the best things that I have ever done.

“I have made some amazing friends on this job, adds Debbie in a break from rehearsals.

“I’m hoping it’s just going to get better and better.”

The actress who grew up in Barnet and has had parts in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, has always wanted to be an actor. She says: “I was shy as a child and I think going on stage was a way I could come out of my shell. I used to say to my Dad ‘I want to grow up to be an actress’ and he used to laugh at me and say ‘but you’re so shy how could you ever act?’.

“I used to watch Judi Dench – I thought she was mesmerising,” adds Sally, “Cate Blanchett is an actress I look at now who I would like to be like.”

The mother-of-two says she did more films when she first started out in the industry and despite only recently getting into theatre, she feels she has been lucky with the jobs she has had. She says: “I took five years out to raise my boys. I didn’t really do any acting at all apart from the odd panto.

“I did an adult panto while I was pregnant, which was hilarious. I blamed the old crow or the witch for my hump and bump. Afterwards I have been lucky to get roles such as Kathy Casey in Our House. But one thing that I will say is it is hard is juggling motherhood with acting.”

Sally continues: “But Debbie Kurup, who I am working with now, has inspired me – not only is she unbelievably talented, she has a daughter and has given me advice on juggling the two worlds. It is really inspiring to hear how she has coped and it made me think of the times where I have thought I don’t know how much longer I can manage this, but she has egged me on saying ‘you can do it’ and that there are ways, you’ve just got to be brave and have a good support network.

“She also said if an opportunity comes your way grab it with both hands and that has really struck a chord with me.

“I’m looking forward to the show, but also spending time with my children afterwards.

“I haven’t got anything planned afterwards but hopefully something else will come along.”

The World Goes Round, St James Theatre, Palace Street, London, February 2 to 7. Details: 0844 2642140, stjamestheatre.co.uk.