Lucy Davis: Life after the office

Lucy: better known as Dawn from The Office

She may not have an instantly recognisable name, but her face is known to many as Dawn from BBC comedy The Office.

But Lucy Davis isn't just known for her television work.

The daughter of Jasper Carrott, she also plays Hayley Tucker in Radio 4's rural soap, The Archers.

Breakfast talked live to Lucy Davis about her new role

Lucy stars in The Potato Men, a new British comedy film which also features Johnny Vegas, Mark Gatiss and Mackenzie Crook, one of her co-stars from The Office.

Ruth is the ex-girlfriend of Jeremy (Gatiss), she finds herself stalked by him throughout the film.

Lucy said she didn't have a problem playing Ruth despite being told she wouldn't like it because it's so rude.

"I loved it, I laughed all the way through", she also grew up in Birmingham where the film is set, and says it really struck a chord.

"Out comes the Brum accent again, (but) it is outrageous, so don't take your granny."

Award

Lucy found herself thrust into the limelight at the recent Golden Globe awards in the US where 'The Office' beat off American comedy Sex and the City to take the best sitcom award.

"It was a real shock. When they announced the best sitcom winner, I had my face all set for them to announce Sex And The City. We all thought we'd misheard," she says.

She went to a lavish party afterwards with co-stars Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook where they mixed with Hollywood stars like Charlize Theron and Kiefer Sutherland.

"I don't think many people knew who we were," she says.

"These TV people thrust a microphone in my face and asked:

"'Who are you wearing?' They meant which designer - but I didn't know what to say because I'm not used to the whole red carpet etiquette thing.

"In fact, I was in a black skirt and top from Pilot which cost £47."

'The Office' beat 'Sex and the City' to take a Golden Globe

Surgery

In 1997, Lucy was diagnosed with kidney failure during a routine medical for her role in Pride and Prejudice.

It was journalist mum Hazel, who came to the rescue donating one of her own kidneys.

"Everyone thinks my mum and I must share an extra special bond," she says,

"We do support each other, but the truth is that we were close before my illness."

But the combination of having to overcome the 'label' of having a famous dad, and her health haven't stopped Lucy establishing herself as an actress in her own right.