Role that's close to TV star Judy's heart

Her outfit was old and shabby, her teeth had been made to look yellow and dirty and she had a scarf over her head.

Judy's latest role as a homeless woman required not so much dressing up as dressing down.

As the Brighton-based actress boarded a train back from London, the reaction from fellow passengers proved a real eye opener.

Judy, best known for her role as Daisy in the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, is regularly invited to glitzy showbiz and arts events.

Now, looking like a bag lady, nobody wanted to know her.

Judy said: "After a day of filming I had to rush for the train. I got on the Thameslink with a scarf over my hair and a lot of stuff on my teeth and it was interesting to see the other Brighton commuters moving away from me.

"They were avoiding me and giving me a wide berth. They took one look and made sure they didn't take the seat next to me.

"Nobody had a clue I was an actress and they just wanted to keep out of my way. It was curious to see their reaction."

For Judy, the response of her fellow travellers was an insight into how the homeless are perceived.

She stars with Emilia Fox, Art Malik and Joe Absolom in a new TV series of stories about the homeless called The Wrong Side Of The Rainbow.

The dramas, produced by Carlton TV, are based on testimonies from homeless people and workers at homelessness projects.

Judy has tackled all kinds of roles in her stage and television career but the role of homeless mother Josie is one which has affected her most.

She is already a supporter of the St Thomas Fund for the Homeless project in Hove so she was pleased to be offered this latest part, intended to give viewers a vivid portrayal of issues surrounding homelessness.

Filming the drama in a park in Clerkenwell, London, brought her into contact with people living on the streets in an unexpected way.

Judy, who is married to Argus columnist and former BBC arts correspondent John Parry, said: "They put me in a park. I looked a real mess and other people who really were homeless thought I was intruding on their patch.

"They were drunk and hadn't seen the camera crew setting up. They were really cross.

"They thought I had come from another area and starting pelting me with Bass cans. Fortunately they were empty cans!

"The crew had to explain that I was an actress and what we were filming and they were fine after that.

"They all stood behind the camera, nodding their approval or voicing their disapproval, and at the end we all shook hands."

In the drama, Josie has been in care and ends up on the streets after having children and then seeing them taken into care.

She spends her days sitting on a park bench, hoping for a glimpse of them.

Judy said: "It is a heart-rending tale, as they all are in the series, and it is interesting actually doing it - it really gets to you.

"You are becoming somebody else while playing the part and it makes you realise what their priorities are - something to eat and where you are going to sleep at night. Making the series had an effect on all of us."

Living in central Brighton, Judy is only too aware that the problem of people living on the streets is not confined to London.

She supports the Argus Don't Give to Beggars campaign and suggests people who want to help the homeless give direct to a charity of their choice.

She said: "Yes, there are con merchants out there who are begging but there are also people in genuine need.

"If you are going to start giving, join a charity and give them something on a regular basis.

"Make sure it is well-run, not over-bureaucratic, and give something where it is going to have a practical benefit where it is needed.

"Check up on them. Go along to the annual general meeting and make sure it is well run."

After playing Josie, Judy hopes her next role will not require her to look quite so down-at-heel.

She said: "I had to cut my nails. My hands were dirty. I looked as though I hadn't had a bath for a week.

"I was being filmed with a dog and I don't know who looked worse, me or the dog!

"But I am not complaining. It was a great part to play, very well written, and I hope it will make people think more about the homeless and realise they are real people with real problems."

Executive producer Peter Lowe said: "By inviting leading actors and writers to recreate the world of homelessness, we hope to give our viewers a powerful and compelling insight into the reason why people become homeless and stay homeless."

The Wrong Side Of The Rainbow is on Carlton TV on November 23, November 30 and December 7.