Sharon Rooney: I love Fat Diary alter ego

My Mad Fat Diary star Sharon Rooney has revealed that she is hugely in love with her character in the E4 show.

However the actress, who plays overweight teenager Rae in the show, said that despite being fond of her alter ego she wishes she had more confidence.

"I'm so in love with her. It's such an honour to play her because she's one of the bravest people that I think I'll ever come across," Sharon said.

 "The good thing about her, whether you're a boy or girl or fat or thin or whatever ethnicity you are, something that Rae's gone through you can go, 'Ooh yeah I remember that' or, 'I feel like that today'.

"She's just this breath of fresh air that doesn't realise just how fantastic she is, and how cool she is," she added. "She makes everyone feel good and happy and she doesn't see it.

"She's too wrapped up in wanting to be normal, whatever that is.

Sharon added that she wasn't phased by the show's emotional scenes - although it was a different story for the production staff.

"Beverly, our script supervisor, would sometimes get a bit teary on set," she revealed."That's when I'd know that we'd done something good. When she cried, it was like, 'Beverley's crying?! Yes! This was a good day at the office!'"

The series continues on E4 on Monday night.