POOR Nicola Stapleton!

The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star actress is so busy she doesn't even have time to visit her bezzy mate Julie Roach, from Bolton!

In a recent interview in the Daily Mirror the 24 year old described how she has known Julie since she was just 12.

"We always did everything together, then she moved to Bolton to be with her boyfriend.

"Their four-month-old son Alfie is my godson, but I haven't seen him yet because I've been busy working.

"I really miss Julie.

"We chat on the phone, but it's not the same as going out with your mate."

Nicola, who made her name as Albert Square's troubled teenager Mandy, also admitted that she and Julie made their first fashion gaffe together.

Aged 14, the pair dressed up as Madonna with tons of make-up, tiny skirts, five-inch stilettos and tights with holes in, thinking they looked "really cool" parading around the market.

And, Bolton Julie and her now famous pal were self-confessed Whamettes in their days - "kissing posters of George Michael on Nicola's bedroom wall".

So who knows this mystery Julie Roach and her baby Alfie? Answers on a postcard please, to Our Town, c/o BEN, or phone 01204 361258.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.