Glynis Barber's character might not have any qualms of looking for love through the help of a friend but it's not something the actress would ever do in real life.

Glynis, best-known for gritty cop show Dempsey and Makepeace, is playing Stephanie Mills in Make Me A Match at the Mill at Sonning which takes a comical look dating game.

Stephanie is a woman who is used to having it all her own way and is hugely successful in terms of making money and ordering people around.

Yet when it comes to men, she comes out all Bridget Jones and reluctantly hires a matchmaker to find Mr Right for her.

Glynis says: "I have never done anything like this and I wouldn't dream of doing it. I'd just be too nervous. I know that a lot of people are involved in matchmaking but I don't really know how they do it. I'd just be unsure about the whole thing.

"This is a very funny play and Stephanie is quite a character. She's never been in a proper relationship and she's very dubious about the whole matchmaking thing. She's looking for the kind of man who has a great figure, wealthy and good looking. She has ludicrously high standards."

Glynis is nothing like her stage character. She is happily married to the other half of the Dempsey and Makepeace, Michael Brandon.

"I was totally unprepared for the success of Dempsey and Makepeace. I didn't know Michael before I went onto the show. We were introduced to each other and it just went from there. We've now been married for 11 years.

Glynis and Michael are the proud parents of one-year-old Alexander who keep Glynis busy when she isn't working.

"I do quite a lot of reading and bit of exercise and yoga but my one-year-old son keeps me occupied most of the time."

Born in South Africa, Glynis left when she was a teenager and came to London where she trained at Mountview Theatre School.

She later worked in plays including Once in a Lifetime, Summer Breeze, High Flyers and Killing Time opposite Bucks resident Dennis Waterman.

After landing, the role in Dempsey and Makepeace, she starred in other TV programmes including Lucky Jim, Babes in the Wood and most recently Dark Realms and Doctors.

"Theatre is the worst paid and hardest work but it's simply an absolute thrill. I do like the TV and film work but theatre gives the most pleasure."

Make Me A Match is at The Mill at Sonning, Reading, from April 10 to May 12 at 7.15pm. For tickets call (0118) 969 8000