I've never had a plan for my career

Actor Emilia Fox on the new series of Silent Witness and turning 50

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Emilia Fox has grown up with Silent Witness.

She was still in her late 20s when she landed the role of Dr Nikki Alexander, which means she has been cutting up cadavers and solving tricky murder mysteries for 21 years on the much-loved BBC pathology drama. In Emilia's time on the show, she has been through relationship ups and downs, become a mum and fallen in love.

So it seems apposite that last July, Emilia turned 50 while filming an episode of the show.

It was on a night shoot at an airport somewhere outside London, and she celebrated with the cast and crew, who have become her second family.

'I had a cake at midnight on the runway, which was really lovely, recalls Emilia when we meet for a chat. 'We were filming a storyline where Nikki's on a plane. It was great and everyone sang happy birthday!' Today, the actor oozes glamour as she prepares for a press photo shoot. Despite her starry look, she's utterly down to earth and very thoughtful when answering questions.

Emilia explains that because she was in the thick of a spate of night shoots, she couldn't throw a party for her 50th, and instead had a quiet celebration with her nearest and dearest her 14-year-old daughter Rose, from a previous relationship; her partner, TV producer Jonathan Stadlen; her brother, Slow Horses actor Freddie Fox; her half-sister, PR guru Lucy Fox, and her parents Edward Fox and Joanna David, both actors.