'Holby' star plays down budget cuts

Holby City star Rosie Marcel has promised that the show's quality will be unaffected by the credit crunch.

The actress, who plays Jac Naylor, confirmed that cutbacks are currently being made to the BBC One medical drama but will not have a noticeable effect on screen.

Referring to recent ITV job cuts, Marcel explained: "We're all feeling the pinch, not just ITV. But we're all working very hard to make sure the show is not affected. And the storylines for Jac are brilliant at the moment."

Marcel joined the programme in 2005 and her character has since been involved in several heated scenes with Patsy Kensit's alter-ego Faye Morton.

"People think I'm a horrible bitch in real life," she admitted. "I think that's why I've never been asked to do a reality show. But Patsy and I are actually really good friends. I get to be really vile to her playing Jac - but we always have a good laugh afterwards. She's so hilarious."

Marcel was one of several celebrities who attended Kensit's wedding to DJ Jeremy Healy last month.