Stephanie Beacham is nothing like the television characters she portrays "except for the face," as she remarks with a laugh. She's amusing, cheerful, natural and looks years younger in the flesh than on screen. You'll be able to note the difference for yourself next week in HELLO! When Stephanie, the woman and actress, tells us all about her real self and past life.

How would you define yourself?

"As a sort of Mr Magoo. I'm just like a little fish swimming quite happily in a pool full of sharks, completely impervious to danger."

Do you feel you are natural and spontaneous about everything?

"Let's say I store information in some recess of my brain. I listen to what I'm told, I keep in mind, but I make the decisions with whatever emotions I currently possess without thinking of the consequences. For example, I'm not calculating about my career. I accept whatever I'm offered, if I happen to like it, without questions. And I feel I put just as much intensity into my acting if I'm performing in front of an audience of three or in front of a potential audience of 50 million, as on television.

"My philosophy is always to give the best of yourself. And this enthusiasm about life is also linked to my education. My parents never banned anything. Everything was possible. They always told us: 'Do it, and don't think about it.' This is why, once we grew up, my brother and sisters and I felt we could achieve anything we set out to do, we felt the world was within our reach."

This is true in your case. You have money, fame and success.

"But I'm not interested in those things. They're not important if you're still unable to be happy when you're alone at home. To me success is to be able to be happy with myself. To be satisfied with what I'm doing, with my work. Although I must admit that my profession has recently begun to matter a lot to me.

"The summer of 1984 was marked by a series of events that completely changed my concept of things, especially of all my profession."

What happened?

"I almost died. In fact, I was practically dead. And it was such a transcendental experience, that I changed completely. Up till then I'd always doubted my talent. I believed that I had achieved everything in life because of luck or circumstances. Then I realised I did have talent and that I shouldn't only be proud of it but I should treat it as a gift from God and improve it, cultivate it and share it with others."

Did you have an accident?

"I can't tell you now... You must read it along with everybody else next week! It's like a chapter from Dynasty. I can only tell you it was an experience that completely changed my whole life."

Has Sable Colby changed your life?

"Yes, but in a different way. I've had to leave my beloved England and come to live in America. I don't mind, but it's not the same. It isn't like my home, with my parents and long-time friends and my past. Above all, I've had to learn to live with a totally neurotic friend, my alter-ego Sable. I'm fond of her, but I find her a bit tiring at times. The day they told me the series was ending, I shed 10 years in just two minutes. But here I am living with her again, and quite happy about it."

Do you find the role taxing?

"It's difficult but exciting at the same time. I spend the whole day hating, intriguing, being the bad girl. And when I finish, it takes some effort to tear off that second skin covered in costly dresses and become myself again. When you play such an intense role, it's important to draw a very clear line between reality and fiction. If you don't, you run the risk of ending up as unstable as the character you portray. When the day's work is over, Sable stays in the studio and Stephanie goes home."

Do you think people see the difference?

"Television reaches so many homes, that you become part of the family. In America, I'm only known as Sable because no one has ever seen me in other roles or in the theatre, so I'm regarded as the bad one. And strangers on the street begin eyeing me with animosity."

Does it bother you?

"It bothers me in the sense that I feel devalued as an actress. If I'm like that, then what's the point of acting? Yes, sometimes I feel slightly disappointed. And I feel the same way about my reported reputation as a vamp.

It isn't true?

"No! I married John McEnery when I was very young. The marriage didn't last long, but we had two daughters, Phoebe, 15, and Chloe, 12. They are the joy of my life. I became a single parent who, with work, dedication, the odd tear and lots of love, has given her life to her children."

Was it difficult to raise two children by yourself?

"Yes, and it's not an original story. When I found myself alone with two babies and a mountain of unpaid bills, I had to take a very tough decision. Either I found a man to care for us and pay the bills or I kept going and waited until true love knocked on my door. I took the last option. I felt it was the more honest one."

Is it a problem being famous?

"Well, for instance, a certain journalist has dedicated himself for years to my supposed 'sexual desires'. It's absolutely incredible! I burst out laughing every time I read one of these stories about me because, among other things, it's the only way one can put up with something like this. And I hope people who do know me also laugh."

Are you presently in love?

"Yes. With Steve, and I have been for some time now. Two and a half years to be exact. And it started like all my relationships - little by little. We met through mutual friends and became friends. Then that friendship turned into love. Steve is an excellent person. He's a cameraman. He doesn't work on Dynasty, although one of these days we'll have some project in common."

Do you mean marriage?

"No, marriage is totally out. My experience with divorce was too shocking. I come from a very united family, which doesn't know the meaning of divorce. My parents have been married for 50 years. My brother and sisters are also married. I'm the only one whose marriage has failed."

You don't plan ever to marry again?

"I'm an old-fashioned girl. I thought - I think - that marriage is for life. Since I've realised it's not like that, after my experience, I decided to be very careful. Of course I would love to get married again, but when my career is no longer so vital for me and when I have done work which I'm really proud of - like the big film I still haven't had the luck to find. Then I would like to get married to a man who was also my friend and with whom I would be able to live the last third of my life in peace.

"My current philosophy is: be happy, stay happy. Don't get married. Marriage is a very serious affair. And don't ask me any more questions. You can start reading it all as from next week!"