Think first, says "Wife Swap" Carol

As Channel 4's Wife Swap gets ready to hit our screens once again this autumn, Carol who starred in the series is urging would-be swappers to "think long and hard" before agreeing to appear on the programme.

The "docu-soap" follows couples as they exchange lives for a week or two. Carol moved out of her Whitefield home and in with Barrie Seabourne from Heywood for a week, while his partner Michelle moved in with Carol's husband Pete. Cameras filmed every minute of the mismatched pairs as they enjoyed a different sort of "domestic bliss".

Now programme makers are searching for similarly interesting couples to take part in the second series.

Carol, who recently celebrated her 45th birthday, said: "I would say absolutely don't do it!!! I decided to go for it to publicise my Theatre Workshop and agency, which it did. I had an agenda. But the price in stress is unbelievable I came out of it emotionally drained.

"The hardest thing was leaving my family. I missed the hugs from my daughters so much. I would get into work and ask for hugs! Then you have the cameras following your every move. Then comes the editing which is not really an accurate portrayal of what went on."

Since appearing on the programme, Carol has been inundated with calls from casting agents not only interested in the work but also herself.

"I have been for a couple of auditions but it was the workshop which I was interested in promoting," said Carol, who is now writing a play about her experiences on the programme.

Carol will be appearing in a feature length documentary, along with other couples who starred in Wife Swap, to talk about their experiences following their appearance on the show, before the start of the new series.

"Most people going on a programme such as this want fame. Barrie and Michelle have been on shows like Kilroy and appeared in magazines. But there is a price to pay."

Couples interested in taking part in a new series should contact Claudia on 02070134221.