TV teen drama actress joins Navy

Emily Corrie's character in As If inspired a McFly song

An actress who played Suzanne "Sooz" Lee in the Channel 4 teen drama As If has signed up to join the Royal Navy.

Emily Corrie, aged 30, from Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, began her nine-week basic training in July.

She is due to march out in front of her family and friends at a passing out parade on Friday.

Trainee Seaman Specialist Corrie, an actress for 12 years, enlisted after spending three "demoralising" years in Los Angeles.

As If ran from 2001 to 2004 and Ms Corrie was the only cast member to also star in the US version of the show.

She also played Ray Winstone's daughter in the series Births, Marriages and Deaths and appeared in A Touch of Frost, Casualty and Doctors.

Her famous hair style in As If - coloured dreadlocks - was said to have inspired the McFly hit 5 Colours in Her Hair.

She said: "To be an actress in LA is demoralising. It brought about the realisation that I didn't want to be in the industry anymore.

"I'd done what I'd wanted to do and worked with some good writers and directors. I never wanted to be a leading lady and decided I just wanted to experience a normal life."

She said the Royal Navy seemed the "obvious choice" for her.

"I've always lacked a bit of self discipline and was prepared to have that enforced."

She completed her basic training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall, and will now undertake another 10 months of training at both HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire, and HMS Raleigh.