Nine years ago Elize du Toit put her academic work on hold to star in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. Since leaving the show fve years ago, Elize has returned to her studies by taking up an OU degree in psychology. She takes time out from working hard on a TMA to talk to Sesame…

Elize du Toit was studying history at Edinburgh University when she went along to a Hollyoaks audition “for the ride” and managed to beat thousands of other hopefuls.

The 27-year-old said: “It wasn’t a difficult decision to leave university to join Hollyoaks because i had two years of the university experience and I always wanted to be an actress.

“My original plan was to take a year out, but it didn’t work out that way. “i was working long hours, six or seven days a week on Hollyoaks. I always thought i would do an OU degree but it took longer to get it together. But i always had it at the back of my mind that I could do that.”

Elize transferred her credits from Edinburgh and initially considered working towards an Open degree, but instead decided to go for psychology.

“i did not want to do history,” she said. “I figured I might want to pursue a different career in my 30s and to study something I would use. I am really interested in psychology and there are things I could do with the subject. i could do a Masters in a lot of different subjects.”

She started in 2007 with the short course Understanding health (Y178) before Exploring psychology (DSE212). At present she is spending 20 hours a week studying two courses: Social psychology (DD307) and Child development (ED209). Next year she hopes to complete her degree after studying Biological psychology (SD226) and Cognitive psychology (dd303), plus a short course.

“I’m finding two courses at the same time really hard because i am working as well. last year, i did Exploring psychology, a level 2 course, and I found it was fine.

“I went away a lot and wasn’t able to make any tutorials, but it was absolutely fine. This year I am doing a level 2 course and a level 3 course and I’m finding it really difficult.”

Since leaving Hollyoaks for three years, Elize has been living in london and been working less regularly than before, using the opportunity to focus on her OU degree. Last year she appeared in Casualty and The Bill, and her next role is in Waterloo Road.

“The nature of my job makes it easier to do distance learning. My jobs are very sporadic and even if i’m working, i’m not filming a lot of the time so it works out quite well.

“Sometimes it is quite hard to make yourself do the work, but deadlines do help. This year i have been able to make it to a couple of tutorials and I’m going to try to go to a few more. But i have been quite isolated, particularly with this latest assignment, because there aren’t many people around me who can help. There is a forum i could join, but i haven’t registered with it yet.”

Elize says she doesn’t have any firm ambitions at the present and is instead focusing on her course while keeping her options open, but will continue acting for the time being.

She added: “I think The Open University is amazing. it is a brilliant opportunity for people to do things they would not have otherwise have had the chance to do at other points in their lives. When I took my exams last year, i was struck by the diversity of people who were there.”

The show will see Elize appearing as a character who attends a TV award ceremony in what can only be described as a bacofoil dress – though this fact appears to have not been passed to some of the fashion journalists covering the BAFTAs, many of whom assumed Elize had taken leave of her (fashion) senses when choosing the dress.

Thankfully though, you now know the truth. And for those of you that haven’t seen the dress in question, here it is in all it’s glory!

Hollyoaks’ Izzy Cornwell enjoys the finer things in life, but Elize du Toit reveals she’s happiest hanging out with her family at the beach. Just don’t bring a camera along to film her in a swimsuit…

I love your style, where do you shop?
Natalie Beach, London
I tend to shop in the Trafford Centre, especially Selfridges, as it has all the high street stuff as well as labels. I’m a real Jeans and T-shirts person. I like Gap and my favourite jeans are Seven and Paper Denim. But I get bored shopping after a while, so I don’t go very often!

There was a stage in Hollyoaks where you were always in Swimsuits – how did you feel about that?
Helen Cross, London
It was awful! It was the storyline when I was running the water polo team, but it’s horrible filming in a swimming pool. You’re either boiling or freezing – and I don’t like being in a swimsuit at all. But at least I didn’t have to wear a bikini.

Do you think the producers would let you dye your hair brown if you wanted to?
Oliver Davis, Sunderland
I think they probably would, as they have quite a few blondes in Hollyoaks, although it has evened out a bit more recently!

Is it true that you’re friends with Darius and Will Young?
Louise Devlin, Aberdeen
I went to school with Will – he was in the year above me, but the last time I actually saw him was at his 18th birthday party. He’s a lovely guy. Darius was in my year at university, and we were both really involved in the theatre so we had lots of mutual friends. I knew two of the three finalists of the first Pop Idol, which was weird!

What did you do during your time off recently?
A Crowther, Sheffield
I went to the Caribbean for two weeks, then to the South of France for a few days with my family, and I went to Rome for a weekend. We don’t get much time off work, so when I do I make the most of it!

I read that you grew up in South Africa. Have you been back recently?
Nikki Polides, Leicester
Yes. I was born and raised there – I’m 100 percent South African. All my family are still there apart from my mum, dad, brother and sisters. I go back every Christmas, and it’s a totally different experience – there are no roaring fires, snow and mulled wine. We have a barbecue, eat grapefruit and go to the beach in the afternoon.

Have you ever dated a fellow actor?
Chloe O’Donnell, Co. Dublin
I dated Ben Hull (who played Lewis Richardson in Hollyoaks) for a while, but that ended well over a year ago. He had left Hollyoaks and was doing Brookside – which was filmed in the same place. We’re still friends. You can’t help who you fall for, whether of not they’re an actor doesn’t come into it.

What type of music do you like?
Sarah Williams, via e-mail.
I like pretty much everything apart from house and techno. I love old music like sixties and Seventies stuff, I like indie, and I love cheesy stuff – like Kylie, and Coldplay. I also enjoy classical music and jazz.

Can you sing and, if so, would you consider it as a career?
Leah Spencer, Peterborough
I cannot sing to save my life, so no, I could never consider it! We have charity events every now and again, and a lot of the cast can sing, so they always do shows, but I wouldn’t dare try.

What’s the most ridiculous rumour you’ve ever heard about yourself?
Mark Peterson, Bournemouth.
That I’m fighting over a film role with Kelly Brook, to star opposite her boyfriend, Jason Statham. I read it in the paper and I wished it was true!

Did you always want to be an actress?
J Lowe, Oxford
Yeah, since I was little. I South Africa I did speech and drama classed, and then when we moved to England I was always in the school plays. Then when I was a student I was really involved in the university theatre company, but I never did anything professional until Hollyoaks.

Would you ever be friends with someone like Izzy in real life?
W Stokes, Maidstone
Izzy’s nice really. I know she can be bossy, but underneath it all she’s a good person, and she likes having a good time. But yeah, she can be annoying!

When Elize du Toit’s bra flew off on-screen, it sent sales of the new Hollyoaks calendar soaring. Posing exclusively for s:2, the actress tells David Stephenson why things are getting steamy in soap land.

Soap babe Elize du Toit is not quite herself. “We’re just so busy at the moment, now that we’re five times a week,” she tells me in a rare break. Before you get the wrong idea, she is talking about Hollyoaks. In fact, her character, posh totty Izzy Cromwell [sic], has imposed a sex ban on fiance Ben because she wants to save herself for her wedding day.

This strategy was working well until Izzy let herself down last week when she found herself without a bra. Quite shocking, not least because said bra ended up in the hands of Ben – actor Marcus Patric – who used it to cover up his own embarrassment.

So just what is going on in middle-class Chester, where the soap is set? According to the publicity, it’s all “fiery tempers and hot passion” as “Hollyoaks hotties Izzy and Ben struggle to contain their sexual urges”.

Elize, 23, says: “Izzy had a very definite idea about how her perfect wedding should be and that included trying to keep ‘pure’ until the big day.

“She had been strong-minded but the romantic setting got the better of her.”

Are there any similarities between du Toit and her character? “That’s a frustrating question,” she says, “but no, not really. Izzy is a very tough character and insensitive but I’m not.”

On the subject of whether she has ever imposed a sex ban, she firmly says: “I don’t talk about sex.” She admits to being single, though: “I have been for a year.”

Born in South Africa, the actress was brought up in the capital, Pretoria. “I had a really great childhood,” she says. “It’s very difficult for me to talk about the troubles there – we were aware of what was going on. When I was 15, my parents decided to emigrate to Britain because they thought we would have a better future. But I would recommend South Africa to anyone for a holiday. My brother is at university there.”

After going to Wellington College, Berkshire, where she was a contemporary of Pop Idol’s Will Young, Elize went to Edinburgh University – until the lure of television proved too much. “I’d wanted to be an actress since I was a child but didn’t really know how to get into it. Then halfway through my course, I saw that they were having an open audition for Hollyoaks. There were around 7,000 hopefuls and the whole thing took hours. But I landed the part. It was great.”

Three years later, du Toit is one of the most recognised members of the cast – partly due to her appearances on the front of lads’ mags. “I don’t think I really have a lads’ mag image,” she protests. “And anyway it just comes with the job. It’s good for the show and it’s also fun to do.”

But there’s little doubt that her scantily-clad poses – on one occassion with another soap siren – have boosted the soap’s sex appeal. And the seductive picture of her in the 2004 Hollyoaks Babes Calendar is helping to make it the best-selling calendar in Britain. But du Toit says she’s not recognised very often in Liverpool, where she shares a house with fellow cast member Sarah Baxendale. “The funny thing is that in my entire time on Hollyoaks, I’ve only ever been chatted up once. And that was a really feeble effort from a guy who just mumbled something about wanting to buy me a drink. I tend to ignore it and get on with life,” she adds.

However, Elize hasn’t found time to go out lately: “It’s been a case of finish filming for the day, come home and feed the doggy. That’s about it at the moment. It’s been really tiring.”

She will get a break, though, when she heads to South Africa with her parents for Christmas. “I wouldn’t say they’re really fans of Hollyoaks. I’ll ring them and tell them to watch it when I’m on. I guess it’s not really aimed at their age group. If Dad says he’s watched it, I know he’s lying!”

Hollyoaks hottie Elize Du Toit reveals why her latest steamy role doesn’t involve any clothes, but does include snogging her mate. Kerry McCarthy reports…

Blonde bombshell Elize Du Toit bounds into the studio, full of energy. Despite her 7.20am start this morning, the 23-year-old still looks like a fresh-faced teenager.

“Right, what’s first?” says Elize, as she plonks herself in the make-up chair and starts applying her mascara. Not that this leggy 5ft 7ins, size 10 beauty needs any help. Even with no make-up on and hardly any sleep either, Elize is naturally gorgeous.

Three short years ago Elize du Toit (pronounced “Do Toy”) was studying History at Edinburgh University when she heard about a Hollyoaks ‘On the Pull’ event. Young hopefuls from all over the country were invited to try for a part on Britain’s best-looking soap show and Elize thought she’d have a go herself.

“I’d been in school plays, but I’d never acted professionally,” says Elize. “I just thought it would be fun to turn up and have a go. I certainly never dreamed I’d get the part.” But she did – Elize was plucked out of 40,000 hopefuls to be one of the lucky four chosen to be the new faces of Chester.

Within a few months, she had dropped out of her second-year studies at Edinburgh and enrolled on-screen as posh college student Izzy Cornwell.

“My very first day was nerve-wracking, but everyone on the set was so nice,” says Elize. “It’s funny thinking about it now. Hollyoaks is 100 per cent my life, there isn’t time for anything else.”

And thanks to a sizzling plotline that’ll soon send our screens into meltdown, Elize’s life is about to get even busier.

Izzy’s going to marry fireman Ben Davis, played by Marcus Patrick, who was ironically also a successful ‘On the Pull’ hopeful.

“It’s bizarre that our characters are getting married,” says Elize. “We’re already like an old married couple at work anyway, but he’s one of my best mates. I spend more time with him that anyone else right now.”

The plotline has Izzy trying to save herself until she’s married, but then it all comes to an exposive conclusion in a late-night one-off special edition of the show.

“We sure spent a lot of time naked,” laughs Elize. “If it hadn’t been so funny it would have been terrible.

“I had these little pieces of tape covering my boobs and Marcus had to make something to cover his bits up.”

Getting up close and personal to her good looking co-star is something Elize has had to get used to in recent weeks, but she admits it can be embarrassing.

“It’s a bit weird having to snog one of your best mates, especially in front of 35 crew!

“Our night shot was right opposite a row of houses, so the people inside probably got a good view!” Elize says.

Elize goes a bit coy when she’s asked about her own lovelife, but insists there’s no-one really special at the moment.

“I’ve been single for um…. ah…. about a year,” she says with a sneaky smile that just suggests there could be a lucky fella hidden away.

Although in the past Elize has been linked to co-star Nick Pickard, who plays chef Tony Hutchinson, and had a nine-month relationship with Ben Hull, who played Lewis, she says she doesn’t have time for a man right now.

“I work 12 hours a day, six days a week. So you can imagine trying to keep a relationship going is virtually impossible.”

In fact, her workload’s so heavy she also misses seeing her friends and family, who live in Berkshire. “I really do miss them, but it’s very difficult to see them because I have to be in Liverpool all the time for work.”

One of four children, Elize says her close family keep her well grounded and don’t make a big deal of her celebrity job.

“My parents are Afrikaans and I was born in South Africa where we lived until I was 15. We moved around a lot and finally settled down in England.

“I still like to travel when I can and when I had a month’s holiday I went to the Caribbean, Rome and France.”

Despite often being snapped on the red carpet looking drop-dead gorgeous, Elize insists she’s much more comfortable simply slobbing out at home.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love wearing beatiful clothes, I just hate shopping. If I had loads of money I’d pay someone to shop for me.

“When I get some time off, I love to stay at home with my dog, Maggie. She’s a little Maltese and I love her. I took her to work once, but she pooped in the green room and I got told off. So now she has to stay at home.”

After six dress changes, Elize is flying out the studio door to catch her train back to Liverpool.

“I’ve got a really early start tomorrow and I want to get home and go to sleep.”

Now who said life as a soap babe was all glamour!

In Hollyoaks, Elize du Toit plays posh blonde babe Izzy – but in real life she’s just a nice, down-to-earth girl not averse to flashing her pants to the paparazzi….

We’re in a huge location van driving through the exclusive narrow streets that lead up to north London’s Hampstead Heath, the setting for today’s fashion shoot. Our model, Hollyoaks actress Elize du Toit (pronounced Toy) is clearly impressed by the grand houses.
‘Ooh I want to live in Hampstead,’ she says, peering out of the windows. ‘Is it very expensive?’ Very, we tell her, and Elize’s face drops.
We park opposite a gothic mansion owned by Boy George. ‘Shall we pop in and see him?’ she jokes. ‘He was in an episode of Hollyoaks and he’s a fan of the show.’
Deciding against knocking on George’s door, Elize heads to the bedroom area of the van to change.
‘These clothes are gorgeous,’ she says, slipping into a bright orange shirt and a skimpy pair of denim shorts. ‘I’d wear these myself, although the shorts are a bit risque.’
Elize learnt the hard way that it’s not a good idea to expose too much flesh. At the Bafta Awards this year, she was photographed on the red carpet with her skirt up around her waist, revealing a very small pair of knickers. ‘I didn’t think it was that big a deal,’ she says. ‘They took loads of photos but in one shot there was a gust of wind. I laughed when I saw the photo, then I read in the papers that I’d done it on purpose. I mean, how ridiculous? I’d have worn nicer knickers for a start.’
Not much fazes this girl, who’s become used to being snapped out on the town. ‘When you’re getting into a car, photographers actually hold their cameras to the ground so they can see up your skirt. It’s awful, but part of the job, I suppose.’
Elize joined Hollyoaks three years ago. Her character Izzy is loud and precocious, but Elize is quite reserved. ‘I’m a lot more laid-back than she is,’ Elize says. ‘Sometimes I hate Izzy, she’s so irritating. But the relationship between her and Ben (Marcus Patric) is great because it’s full of sparks.’
At 5ft 10in and with incredibly long legs, Elize looks like a professional model. But when we arrive on the Heath, she nervously asks the photographer to tell her what to do. ‘You’re doing great,’ he reassures her.
‘I’m a very casual dresser and I hate feeling overdressed,’ she admits. ‘And I’m a really bad shopper – I get bored after and hour and can’t be bothered to take my clothes off to try things on, so I tend to wear jeans and little tops.’
While most women would envy Elize her figure, she says her height can cause problems. ‘When I wear heels I’m taller than a lot of guys. I quite like Heath Ledger because he’s really cute and nice and big. I like guys who are taller than me.’
Elize is rumoured to be dating co-star Nick Pickard, who plays Tony in the show, but she denies it. ‘Nick is just a friend,’ she insists. ‘I went out with Ben Hull who played Lewis, but that ended about a year ago. I’m single at the moment and quite happy.’
The Hollyoaks cast are all very close – which is just as well, considering they work a seven-day week. ‘We all hang out together because most of us aren’t from Liverpool. The nightlife there is great and people are used to seeing us around town, so we don’t get any hassle.’
Like her screen character, Elize is a sensible girl. ‘I’m quite good with money,’ she admits, and has bought her own house in Liverpool which she shares with co-star Sarah Baxendale, who plays Ellie. Originally from South Africe, Elize moved to Berkshire as a child and went to the same school as Pop Idol winner Will Young. ‘The last time I saw him was at his 18th birthday party. It would be great to see him again. He’s lovely.’
She went on to study History at Edinburgh University where, coincidentally, her fellow student was Pop Idol’s Darius Danesh. ‘Darius was in my year and we had a lot in common – we were both involved in the theatre scene up there. I hadn’t seen him until he appeared in an episode of Hollyoaks this summer. It was crazy seeing him again. Both our lives have changed so much.’
Hollyoaks is incredibly glamorous – lots of stunning blonde girls with expensive hairdos – so does Elize feel under pressure to look good? ‘Obviously you want to look pretty,’ she says. ‘But I don’t really think about it.’ But what if she wakes up with a big spot on her face? ‘That’s the make-up artist’s problem,’ she laughs.
Her Hollyoaks contract is up for renewal in September but Elize is not making plans. ‘We’ll just have to see what happens,’ she says. ‘I don’t like saying I’m ambitious because it jinxes it

When it comes to upping the glamour stakes in Hollyoaks, no one does it better than the show’s resident posh totty Izzy, played by South African actress Elize du Toit. From college campuses to gossip columns of the nations tabloids, Elize remains one of the most interesting stars in the hit soap, forever being linked to her co-stars and adding a much-needed injection of hoity-toity sex appeal to the show.

Inviting OK! into her luxury Merseyside home, Elize reveals all about he split from co-star Ben Hully, her shock at seeing her knickers emblazoned across the national pres, and which male Hollyoaks star fills his Speedos the best…

Izzy’s one of the most popular characters in Hollyoaks – are you still enjoying playing her?

Oh absolutely! I’ve been a member of the cast for almost three years now, and every day is just as good as the last one. I’m not all that aware of being one of the ‘faves”, but it’s totally flattering that people think that of Izzy. I just go to work and do my stuff to the best of my ability.

You won your role in Hollyoaks through an open audition. Do you still pinch yourself at how well things have turned out?

Sometimes even to this day, I can’t believe I went for the audition. It’s strange how a very small spur-of-the-moment decision affects your life in the long run. I was studying history at Edinburgh University at the time, and while I was there I was part of the university theatre company, so really I went for the role just to gain some experience. Little did I know that I’d beat 10,000 others come the end!

You live in a stunning Edwardian cottage in one of Liverpool’s most desirable areas – are you now a fully-fledged Scouser?

[Laughs] Almost! One of the major plus points of settling in this bustling, vibrant city is all the space you have around you – it’s so different from Longon. I just love my little house in the village. Plus Liverpudlians are so welcoming and friendly. Withing two days of moving in, my neighbours invited me around for a karaoke session! And it’s so nice to sit out in the massive front garden waving hello to people. Even The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour bus drives past on it’s route, so it really is a special place.

You hit the gossip columns after turning up at the BAFTA Television Awards with uour knickers on show. Was that intentional?

Of course not. A gust of wind hit me as I ventured up the red carpet, and of course the snappers went wild. So obviously when it came to reading the tabloids the next day the photo they’d chosen was the one with my skirt over my head!

What about the tabloid story that Gary Lucy spent the night desperately attempting to get his hands on you?

[Shrieks with laughter] Oh, that is so funny! You know, I lived with Gary [who played Luke] for almost two years when he was on Hollyoaks, and he’s nothing more than a very good friend of mine. Luckily Gary and I know each other or else those malicious lies could have had bad results.

You seem to be constantly linked to your co-stars, from Gary to Ben Hull [Lewis] and now Nick Pickard [Tony]. Why is that?

I just don’t know. But you’re out and about in Liverpool with a male co-star and you automatically become an item. It does get slightly tiring.

So there’s no truth in the story about you having a relationship with Nick?

Absolutely not. Again, we’re good friends who were seen out in Liverpool’s Living Room bar one night.

You had a relationship with Ben. Are you still Friends?

Yes. IT’s been nine months since Ben and I parted company. And after Ben left Hollyoaks he went over to star in Brookside, which is filmed in the same building as us, so it was important for us to stay friends.

You’ve just shot the second [wrong - Third! Henry] Hollyoaks calendar. Did you enjoy slipping into the bikini again?

It’s always quite a daunting prospect, getting comfortable with your figure in front of a camera. But all the girls get the chance to get together and get a bit of sun, so that makes up for it.

At least the boys got their bits out as well…

I know, and that makes it all much better! The even better thing is that they shot their last calendar in and around the docks of Liverpool, with some of them clad only in Speedos! Not they know exactly how we feel!

Who needed the biggest pair?

Ooh. I’d have to say Henry Luxemburg, who plays Toby. He’s going to love me for that one!

Elize, 23, plays Izzy in C4’s teen soap, Hollyoaks. She lives in Liverpool with her co-star Sarah Baxendale, who plays Ellie.

Did you sleep well last night?

I slept very, very well. I was in bed before midnight and didn’t wake up once. I was lucky because I didn’t have to start work until 10.30, so I had a good eight hours sleep – I feel a bit groggy with less.

Who were you with at midnight?

My dog Maggie. She sleeps in my bed, which some people might find weird, but it’s lovely waking up with a little fluffy thing. She’s a maltese. They’re an amazing breed, and she’s really intelligent.

Who was the first person you spoke to this morning?

Someone from work who wanted to find out where I was and whether I was going to be on time. I normally am, although I was 10 minutes late today.

What was the best meal you had today?

I haven’t eaten much yet, but I had a pizza late last night. I always have a Margherita with garlic and herb dips.

What was the most expensive thing you bought today?

I shopped at Sainsbury’s and spent about £75 on a week’s food. Every time I go, I seem to spend more. I never have a list or plan my meals, I just go and take what I feel like.

What made you laugh most today?

Marcus Patric [Ben Davies in Hollyoaks]. I find him hilarious. We were doing rehearsals for a scene where we have to swim with sharks, so we had the giggles about that.

What do you regret about today?

That I didn’t wake up at 7.30 and go to the gym. That’s my regret every day. We’ve just finished doing the Hollyoaks calendar and all the girls got into a fitness routine for that – some people even got in personal trainers. That was two weeks ago and I haven’t been to the gym since.

What are you most proud about today?

That I’m going to swim with sharks tomorrow. I’m so excited – we’re going to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire to shoot the scene tomorrow.

What’s the most annoying thing anyone has said to you today?

I found out that I’ve got to work all weekend. At the moment we’re working long hours because we’re gearing up to do five shows a week.

What song can you not get out of your head at the moment?

Move Your Feet by Junior Senior. I really like it, it makes me want to get up, go out and go dancing.

What appointments did you write in your diary today?

An event I’m hosting in Manchester on 26 July. It’s a “speed dating” evening where guys get a chance to date 10 beautiful girls. As hostess, it’s my job to give them tips about chat-up lines and the art of seduction. I’ll have to think about that; I’m not very good on chat-up lines.

Did you meet anyone interesting today?

Not yet, but I’m looking forward to meeting the underwater camera operator at the aquarium tomorrow. He’s done loads of amazing stuff and worked on the Blue Planet series for David Attenborough.

How long did you spend getting ready this morning?

My make-up is usually done for me at work, so I literally just get up, have a shower and come straight in, and in about 15 minutes. This morning I probably spent about 25 minutes because I had to dry my own hair.

What time will you probably be in bed tonight?

I want to be really fresh for this shoot tomorrow, so I hope to be in bed by midnight. I’m going to learn all my lines and maybe just have a glass of red wine and some nice food and get to bed early.

Was it a bad hair day of a good hair day?

Bad. I went to bed with wet hair last night, so I can’t get it looking right today because it’s going in all the wrong directions.

A lucky break won Elize du Toit the role of sexy Izzy Cromwell (sic) in Hollyoaks, but talent has ensured her success – and she’s loving every minute of it, she tells Quentin Cooke.

She may have spent the past two-and-a-half years playing Hollyoaks’ upper-class crumpet Izzy Cromwell (sic), but Elize du Toit still can’t believe she’s actually on the show. “I got this job so randomly,” she says. “I was at university in Edinburgh, halfway through a four-year course, when I heard about an open audition for Hollyoaks. I went along and got the part.”

She makes it sound so simple but, in reality, some 4,000 hopefuls competed for just four roles.
Elize is delighted with the way everything has turned out. “Hollyoaks is a brilliant environment to be in. We all get on so well,” she enthuses.

Off-screen she shares a home in Liverpool with co-star Sarah Baxendale, who plays Ellie in the popular teen soap about the emotional ups and downs of Cheshire youngsters.

“We get on like a house on fire,” says Elize, whose on-screen character is known for her sharp tongue.

“I’m also really good friends with Ali Bastian (Becca Hayton), and Kate Baines, who used to play Beth.

“We work hard but, because we’re young, we all go out a lot and just hang out. When we go out in a large group, we do get a lot of attention, but you tend to tune I go out on my own, I tend to get comments shouted over, like ‘Oi, Izzy! fancy a drink?’, but I just laugh it off. I’m not anything like my character in real life. Izzy’s a lot sharper and more straight to the point than me.”

Elize says she loves nothing more than going for a night out at the movies, followed by a drink and a dance. “And now I’ve got my new-found passion – the gym,” she adds. “I’m sure that’s going to last about two weeks.”

The former student is also something of a bookworm – and none of your low-brow chick lit for her either. “At the moment I’m into Still Life by A S Byatt, who also wrote Possession,” she reveals. “It’s great.” She’s a linguist, too. Her parents emigrated from South Africa when she was small, and her first language is Afrikaans.

“I don’t get to see my brothers and sisters much,” she says. “My older brother is at Uni in South Africa and my younger sister is studying at Birmingham. I have a much younger brother, who’s 11, and he still lives at home with my parents in Berkshire, so I try to get down there as much as I can. He’s like an only child, as we’ve all grown up and moved away. He’s absolutely amazing and we get on so well – he’s a mate as well as a little brother.”

Elize, 22, has a lot of male mates on the Hollyoaks set, though she insists that any romance is out of the question right now: “No way. I’m happily single at the moment and have been since I split up with my boyfriend last summer. Anyway, I’m too young for anything serious.”

She doesn’t mind the odd love scene, though. “Sometimes it can be embarrassing, but as a rule it isn’t because we all know each other so well. It’s generally all over so quickly, and luckily it doesn’t involve tongues,” she says.

“For me, it would be a lot worse having to appear in my bra and knickers. I wouldn’t like that. And while my parents don’t mind the short skirts and things I have to wear, I don’t think they particularly liked the Hollyoaks bikini shoot we all did…”

While Elize’s family might wish we were seeing a little less of her, the reality is that she’s one starlet we’re likely to see a lot more of. So does she believe the big screen will beckon?

“I’ve no idea what I’m going to do after Hollyoaks – I just want to keep on acting,” she says. “I’m still young and things are so good at the moment. I’m not thinking that far ahead.

“I’m really settled and happy here, and just take one day at a time. But as contracts run from September to September, we’ll just have to wait and see…”