Acting is tough. Before Enders came along I thought of retraining as a hairdresser

Laura Doddington has quickly become a soap favourite after her bombshell entrance as Nicola Mitchell in EastEnders.

- JANINE YAQOOB

Since arriving on Albert Square in November, her character has been embroiled in a murder and this week, a historical affair was uncovered that blew up some major drama.

With the makings of a true soap matriarch, it comes as no surprise that Laura, 44, has found herself nominated for Best Newcomer at the Soap Awards this weekend.

But before bagging her dream role, the mum-of-one almost gave up on her acting career.

"The industry is hard at the moment, Laura says.

"Before this audition came through I had been looking at retraining to do something else because I have got a young kid.

That makes you think about their future and stability for them." Having previously appeared in Doctors, Holby City, The Bill and Casualty as well as on the stage, Laura says the lead role she yearned for just was not coming.

"I cut my son's hair and I am sort of reasonably good at it, so I thought that might be an option," she says.

"I was in Prime Suspect when I was in my 20s and The Midwich Cuckoos, but they weren't massive parts. I was beginning to think it might not be possible to have that lead role." But last year, Laura got the breakthrough she wanted so much - landing the part of the latest feisty Mitchell woman, Nicola.

And the Cambridge-born actor made an immediate impression.