After a troubled childhood, Cleo has found stability and love in the home of Dolores Molloy. Now a respected chef, and in a committed relationship, Cleo is proud of what she has achieved; as well as very protective of it. Between Jenny Kavanagh's busy Fair City schedule, and training for an Everest climb, we posed your questions to her.

What has been your favourite storyline to work on so far?
The last five years on the show has been amazing. My part was originally just for six weeks, and to be here five years on is brilliant. I have learned so much and made some amazing friends.

What's it like playing someone who was once homeless?
When I was in the middle of the homeless storyline it was tough. I would see people sleeping on the streets and it would break my heart. No one wants to be homeless, so to play it and give it justice was important to me. Now, Cleo is a success story, you don't hear about them all the time. She's one that you have watched grow up and become a woman, a woman with determination to succeed.

Would you like to see Cleo and Robert get married?
Maybe, who knows? Robert has kind of backed Cleo up against a wall by not letting the fact that she doesn't want to see her mother go. Although she's lied, I don't think he'll understand why she did. But she loves him very much; Cleo should get her happy ever after.

If you could play any other character on Fair City, who would you be?
Ooooh, I would be Neasa, the newbie! She bolted on the scene and has turned lives upside down already. She is feisty, flirty and maybe a bit bitchy, which is always a fun combination to play. Plus she has fabulous clothes..ok, ok, could I please look like her too?

Who's your favourite person in the cast to work with?
Ah, now that's not fair, there are loads who are great fun. Alan Devine could be high on the list. He's great fun, a great actor and always on the ball. Sarah Flood is great craic. Victor Burke is one of the funniest men I've ever met. I suppose I have to top the list though, undoubtedly, with Martina Stanley. Five years of her being the on screen-mammy, and a little bit off screen too. Always there for a chat, a great laugh, always wants to run lines and she gives great advice.

Do you think Cleo is risking her relationship with Robert, with all her lies?
Absolutely, you risk what you have with anything when you tell lies. Cleo loves Robert, but she felt she had to do what she did to keep him, and also to stay happy. She doesn't want to see her mother again and that's her choice. Robert doesn't see he should respect that. The truth always comes out eventually so hopefully when it does Robert will understand why.

If Cleo were to break up with Robert, who'd you rather see her form a relationship with - Doug Ferguson or Leo Dowling?
Eh ok!! There's a bit of a contrast there isn't there?? It's the toy-boy or the sugar daddy. I suppose, Cleo and Leo would not work. She would probably rob him blind, or crash one of his taxis, (love Dave Duffy though, legend) so I suppose it's toy-boy Doug for her. I would hate to be in the room with Doug and Cleo for an argument!

How similar are you to the character you play on the show?
Playing her for so long bits of the character and me always spill over into each other a bit. I'm feisty, fiery person and so is she, though Cleo has a tad more aggression. She's a soft heart though and doesn't want it to be broken again.

Cleo is a great cook - do you like to cook yourself?
I like to sometimes, I'm no Jamie Oliver but I live to eat, so I cook pasta a lot and chicken.

Is there any truth to the rumour that Cleo is going to give up her job in the Hungry Pig to pursue a career as a Mime in an upcoming storyline?
Ha ha ha ha ha! What??? That's genius if it's true. The writers don't really tell us about future stories so I don't know. But I would love that, though I don't know if it's Cleo's kind of thing.

What's the most embarrassing thing you've had to do/has happened to you on set?
Most embarrassing thing that I've had to do, probably the bed scenes but the thought of that was worse than it was. Things that happened to me? Definitely falling on my bum in the middle of a scene. It was funny after I got helped up though.

Do you get recognised by many people when you're out and about?
Yes. It's mostly fun though and people can be lovely. I've been on the show for a long time so I'm used to it.

Do you enjoy getting feedback from your fans?
Absolutely, that's always nice. People are lovely to us and I love chatting to people.

What is it like to work with Martina Stanley (Dolores), and Victor Burke (Wayne)?
Martina Stanley is like a mammy to me at this stage. I love her so much and working with her is always a pleasure. Victor Burke is the best craic; he makes us laugh so much. Victor is also very level headed, he knows what he's talking about, and has given me some great advice.

Is the accent you speak with as "Cleo" close to your own accent?
No, not really. I was asked to make it stronger in the beginning.

What do you like about working on Fair City?
The people, the craic, and the fact that I am working and experiencing my dream to be an actor.

What's the most difficult thing about working on Fair City?
Sometimes the hours can be really long or you could be waiting around for a scene. As Jim Bartley says "it's the waiting around we are paid for, the acting is free".

If you hadn't of gotten into acting, what do you think you'd be doing as a career?
I'd probably be a DJ. I still do a bit on the side. My Dad is a DJ, and before I got Fair City I was just starting to do gigs. Acting was always going to be a part of my life though, no matter what. I'm just blessed with how it's worked out.

If you could work alongside any actor in the world, who would you most like to work with?
Ryan Gosling, Anthony Hopkins, or Denzel Washington. I can't choose, they're all amazing.

What is your dream role to play?
That's a tough one too. Stage; I would love to play Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Film; anything gritty and daring. Throw a challenge at me and I'm happy.

To donate or support Jenny on her climb to Everest, log onto www.hopechallenge2010.com.