Bradford City supporter Heather Peace told today how football keeps her fit for her latest television role as Ross Kemp's sidekick.

The 28-year-old actress plays new recruit Becca Gallagher in ITV's Ultimate Force alongside the former EastEnders hardman in the all-action Saturday night series.

Heather, a former pupil at St Joseph's RC College, Manningham, wears her City away shirt for training to keep in shape for the tough-girl role.

She said: "I love action and it's a great job for me because it keeps me fit at the same time as working. I also love being the only girl in things.

"I wear my away shirt when I'm training. I'm proud to be from Bradford and proud to support the team."

She also revealed how her tomboy instincts were nurtured when she played out in Bradford as a kid.

"I always used to hang out with my brother - I can't really remember any girls in our street. I used to play football all the time and was in a team until I was 13.

"Mum always tells me a story about when I was three years old. She had spent ages making me a frock but when she tried to get me to wear it, I just created complete havoc."

Her new role, which follows her playing Sally Fields in London's Burning, is another where she plays the only major female role.

She underwent gun training before filming started.

"To play Becca I had to toughen up even more and try not to play cutesy or sweet. I felt like one of the lads as far as you can be, but they were all very gentlemanly and looked out for me.

"I didn't want to look girl holding a gun. I was determined to make sure I could do the job because that's what Becca believes.

"Even if the gun feels heavy and hard and cold, I always try and look like she finds it easy.

"Luckily the fitness part wasn't difficult for me. I play football, work out at the gym and run along the sea-front near my home in Brighton. I've done a couple of marathons as well."

In the series, Becca is the first woman ever to pass SAS selection and is assigned to Red Troop led by Henno Garvie, played by Kemp. She was a PT instructor in the army before going through the selection process.

Heather, who went on to study drama at Manchester Metropolitan University, adds: "She's a bit of a mystery because any woman who puts herself in that situation has to be a little crazy.

"When I got the part I wondered why a woman would want to do it. She has to have a hell of a lot of stamina."

Another challenge was having to appear naked in an interrogation scene.

"It was nerve-wracking but all the boys were naked as well. I got a bit of special treatment because they kept my dressing gown around me until we started filming.

"In another scene Becca joins them in the shower because there aren't separate changing facilities."

But despite the tough character on-screen, she reveals she's a softie really.

"Apart from being fit, I'm not really like her. I'm such a big softie. You only have to blow on me and I fall over.

"Becca is everything I'd like to be and that's what's nice about acting.

"Similarly I love the lifestyle of a soldier and being in the outdoors, but I wouldn't want to go to war."

She has also appeared in The Bill, Holby City, Doctors and Emmerdale.