As a parent, you can't believe how shattered you are...

Strictly star Kara Tointon plays a single mum struggling to pay the bills opposite Downton Abbey's Allen Leech in a thrilling new psychological drama. The ex-EastEnder might not be broke in real life, but she knows just how exhausting motherhood is

- Kat Hopps

SHE'S about to star in a gripping new psychological thriller, but Kara Tointon says the only programme you'll find her curled up on her sofa and watching right now is about home improvements. And that's because the former EastEnder is a single mum to two young boys, with little space in her life for anything else.

"My kids Frey and Helly are five and three so watching any show is a real luxury," sighs Kara, who has described motherhood as hitting "like a punchbag".

"Right now, I'm just trying to sleep," she continues. "You can't really believe how shattered you are as a parent most of the time. I tend to watch Grand Designs." Having recently hit her 40th birthday milestone, the Strictkly winner plays struggling single mum Rachel in her new four-part drama, Too Good To Be True, starting tomorrow night on Channel 5.

Rachel is a hotel cleaner living on the poverty line but trying to give her academically gifted son, Liam, 11 - portrayed by Charlie Hodson-Prior - the best start in life.

Everything changes when an extremely wealthy and handsome man, Elliot - played by Downton Abbey's Allen Leech - offers her a well-paid job cleaning his manor house.

But what starts off as a "modern Cinderella story" quickly turns sinister, as Elliot becomes more controlling - hence its rather ominous title.

"It's a house in the middle of nowhere and it's mysterious and strange, but it's an opportunity she grabs with both hands," Kara explains.

"She's this British everywoman who is trying to go uphill, yet everything is against her.

A lot of the country, and the world, feels pretty similar right now. Things are really tough." She's referring to the cost-of-living-crisis that has sent bills soaring, while wages and pensions stagnate - something she believes many viewers will relate to.