MEGAN CASSIDY: My life is good

MEGAN CASSIDY started her acting career on the amateur theatre scene in Waterford, where she worked with the Flaggy Lane theatre company.

Now, she’s scripting and presenting RTÉ’s The Curious World of Professor Fun and Dr Dull, a fun show targeted at six-year-olds, which aims to introduce them to art.

“I’m over the moon about it,” says Cassidy, 23, who previously worked with Elev8, another RTÉ kids’ programme and who’s dating Laois county footballer John O’Loughlin.

“I never saw myself in TV. I never aspired to get on it — it was always theatre. But I’ve fallen in love with the world of TV.”

* The Curious World of Professor Fun and Dr Dull goes to air each weekday at 10.45am (repeated at 1,30pm). At weekends it goes out at 7.50am.

What shape are you in?

I’ve always been quite naturally slim. I had a bit of extra winter insulation so I recently joined a gym to tone up a bit.

Do you have any health concerns?

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid two years ago. I was prescribed medication but decided not to go down that road. I decided on the alternative route, which works really well for me. I take supplements of iodine, vitamin A and selenium and I’ve improved my diet.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I love my juicer. I throw anything into it. I did a seven-day juice fast recently and I never felt better. For a week, I just had vegetable juices and I wasn’t hungry. I make sure I never skip meals. I eat porridge in the morning and vegetable soup for lunch. Before every meal, I drink a glass of vegetable juice, which floods my system with nutrients.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

I love a glass of white wine every now and then. I’ve been known to eat the occasional garlic chip.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

I’d love Nigella Lawson — she can cook. I’d invite Stephen King because he’s my favourite author at the moment, and Max Gerson because he has all these alternative cures for cancer.

What would keep you awake at night?

I’m not a big worrier. I’m probably laid back to a fault. The one thing that would keep me awake is if I think I’m being treated unfairly. I just hate being taken advantage of.

How do you relax?

I love nothing more than going to a café, having a big cappuccino and reading my book.

What’s your favourite smell?

I love the smell of coffee brewing first thing in the morning.

What would you change about your appearance?

I recently finished Invisalign — invisible braces for your teeth. It’s been a year. Teeth are an obsession of mine. I haven’t picked another obsession yet but watch this space.

When did you last cry?

I cried watching Derren Brown: Apocalypse on Channel 4.

What trait do you least like in others?

I really don’t like when a person is passive-aggressive — when they don’t say what they mean or dance around an issue or have an ulterior motive behind loaded statements.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I’m a procrastinator. I’ve had to come up with ways to deal with it. I set my timer for five minutes and I do whatever needs to be done — take out the bin, start an essay.

Do you pray?

I’m more spiritual than religious. I’m very grateful for things. I appreciate everything I have.

What would cheer up your day?

Just seeing my boyfriend. If I’ve had a long day, he’ll cook me a meal and that is when I’m at my happiest. I’ve been seeing him two years.