Raised in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, England

Spent a year with the Royal Shakespeare Company after graduating from RADA

Had featured role in Jim Cartwright's stage play "Road" at the Royal Court Theatre; production filmed for broadcast on British TV in 1987

Feature film debut, "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase"

Appeared with Anthony Hopkins in the BBC telecast "Heartland"

Co-starred with Anjelica Huston in "The Witches"

Breakthrough stage role as Little Voice in Cartwright's play "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice"

Breakthrough film role, "Life is Sweet"

Played recurring role of Bubble in hit TV series "Absolutely Fabulous"

Received critical raves for her performance as Sally Bowles in the Sam Mendes-directed environmental staging of "Cabaret" in London; production co-starred Alan Cumming

Made cameo appearance in Cumming's short film "Butter"

Appeared in support of William Hurt and Cumming in "Second Best"

Played Lady Macbeth in a stage production of "Macbeth"

Starred in own British TV special "Never Mind the Horrocks"

Provided the voices for the characters in the animated British children's series "The Blobs"

Recreated breakthrough stage role in film "Little Voice"

Had co-starring role in the ensemble comedy-drama "Born Romantic"

Lent her voice to the character of a dim-witted hen in the blockbuster Claymation film "Chicken Run"

Signed to co-star in the BBC comedy series "Mirrorball", reuniting with the cast of "AbFab"; series aborted

Brought back to the new "Absolutely Fabulous"