She's enjoying the red carpets and entourage of stylists that come with a role in Ugly Betty, but Ashley Jensen has still got principles

Ashley Jensen, 39, found fame as hapless Maggie in Extras. She recently swapped London for Los Angeles after signing a seven-year contract as Christina in Ugly Betty. Now she lives in a £1m mansion with her husband of one year, actor Terry Beesley.

La la lady: Ashley Johnson recently swapped London for Los Angeles, where she play Christina in Ugly Betty

What do you love about living in LA and what do you miss about home?

I wake up to sunshine every morning and I can afford to drink better wine. Los Angeles is full of lovely art galleries and boutiques. I keep a can of Irn-Bru in my fridge, Marmite in the larder and I buy Cornish veggie pasties.

Do you feel the need to change your looks or lose weight?

I always knew I was never the prettiest or ugliest girl in the room. Life's too short to inject botulism into you face to get rid of a tiny line because you've laughed too much. I don't feel a need to lose weight, because I'm not 21. I'm happy with my package.

Do you feel yourself getting sucked into the Hollywood lifestyle?

I do find it funny that I've got to 39 and suddenly I'm not able to dress myself or do my own hair and makeup. I've got a stylist, a stylist's assistant, a make-up artist and a publicist. My friends say, 'Don't go all Hollywood on us.' I don't think there's much chance of that.

Ashley Jensen: I felt like Cinderella the first time I walked down the red carpet

What's your take on the size zero debate?

We're obsessed with how we're meant to look. I feel a responsibility to not do that because it's dangerous. People end up having exactly the same bodies.

What was it like walking down the red carpet for the first time?

I felt like Cinderella. For the first time I had an entourage. There were stylists fussing around me and all I had to do was to stand there while they put me in a dress and a pair of Jimmy Choos. It was so surreal. I was surrounded by stars such as Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman and Sharon Stone. It was definitely a pinch-me moment.

What was it like when Victoria Beckham came on the set for the day?

She was lovely. I'd only seen her as a 2Dfigure in magazines and it was great to see her smiling. She could have brought her entourage, but she shared our hair and make-up artists in the trailer with us.

Describe your wedding.

It was very spontaneous because I couldn't be bothered with faffing about and it was about me and Terry. We've been together seven years so we didn't need the presents. My mum and I are very close but she wasn't there. No one was. She said, 'Why don't you just do it yourselves?'

Does Ugly Betty's success mean you're delaying having a family?

If I get pregnant, I get pregnant. They'll either deal with it or they'll recast me.

Do you worry about fame not lasting?

I still think I am going to get found out and they will send me home. Acting is all about luck. I feel that the past couple of years have been my time.
I know it won't last forever and I'm okay with that.

Ugly Betty starts on Friday on Channel 4 at 9pm.