Cole: 'Acting is like walking a tightrope'

Rex Features

Lily Cole has revealed that she sees acting as being like walking a tightrope.

The model-turned-actress, who stars in new movie The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, said that the secret to a believable performance is finding the right balance.

Cole told The Daily Telegraph: "The good actor is the one who always has a moment when they nearly fall off."

She also commented her late co-star Heath Ledger, saying: "Heath was totally without fear as an actor. When you see him as the Joker in The Dark Knight, or any of the characters he has done, he really lives and breathes the character - he was always totally committed."

The 21-year-old added: "There is no doubt that Heath was a massive support to me. I had done so little and had almost no experience, and yet Heath was really generous. He was aware that I was nervous, this being the biggest role I've ever done, and he was making a real effort to encourage me."

> Click here for our review of The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus