AMAZING GRACE 'The knock-backs made me stronger!'

Shortland Street legend Lynette shares the challenges of breaking TV stereotypes and how they've made her the person she is today

- Florence Hartigan

Trail-blazing actress Lynette Forday is hoping that on this season of Celebrity Treasure Island she'll well and truly prove that size doesn't matter.

"You don't have to be the biggest person to win," says the 1.6m stars, who's best known on Kiwi screens for her iconic role of Shortland Street's Dr. Grace Kwan - the show's first Asian character.

"I think I'll find the portaloos and the beans and rice a bit of a challenge, but I know I've got the smarts to come out on top," says Lynette, who plans to use all her skills to her advantage - including her actor's craft. "I'm not a manipulator, but I like to think that I've learned how to read people and how to work with them."

For Lynette, a win would mean more than just bragging rights. The Auckland-based star - who competes against her fellow celebrity castaways for $100,000 to go to the charity of her choice - has a deep passion for her chosen recipients, Sticks 'n Stones, a youth-led bullying prevention organisation.

"As a child, I was often called names," shares Lynette, "so helping children have the confidence to stand up and be strong, and believe in themselves, no matter who they are, what their sexuality, what they look like or where they came from is my absolute passion."