THERE'S only so many affairs a girl can have, insists actress Glenda McKay.

So the former TV soapstar wasn't sorry when, three years ago, her Emmerdale character, unlucky-in-love Rachel Hughes, was pushed off a cliff.

"Rachel was having an affair with Jack Sugden, who was probably around 20 years older than her. Before that there was a string of failed relationships," says Glenda. "After 11 years in Emmerdale, it was time to move on."

At 16, a lucky break landed Glenda this dream job in her lap.

"I'd done some amateur dramatic work and was doing A-level theatre studies when my brother, Craig, got a part in Emmerdale. I wrote to the producer and he offered me the part of Craig's sister," explains Glenda.

Since she left, Glenda, 31, has released her Fit, Fresh and Funky aerobics video. She's also contributed to Yorkshire TV's health and fitness programmes and is writing her first book.

Glenda met fiance, Ken Cumberland, a production buyer for ITV's Heartbeat, at a friend's party. The couple have bought an old house in Ilkley where they both enjoy exploring the glorious Yorkshire Dales countryside.

"We're getting married next year. I've ordered my wedding dress, and I have to find a strapless bra today, before I go for my next fitting, " said Glenda.

Glenda stars in Marc Comoletti's hilarious farce, Don't Dress for Dinner, showing at Blackpool's Grand Theatre from Monday, November 4to Saturday, November 9. This pacey production also features Robert Duncan Melanie Stace, Vicki Michelle and Giles Watling.