At 45, the Packed to the Rafters actress, nominated for a Gold Logie for the second straight year, said she never expected to be in this position: "I moved to Tasmania and took four years off after having my son at 39 and that was fine."

Speaking at yesterday's Logie Award nominations at Ivy in the city, she said: "Then this offer to appear in a pilot came along, it turned into a massive series, I worked on the Maria Korp telemovie and we're about to be back on air with Packed after a five-month break.

"It has been a rollercoaster ride."

Fans will be hoping she can make it two from two for the Gold Logie on May 2 - but she tipped Home and Away legend Ray Meagher to win.

"I don't expect to win it because there is a public groundswell of support out there for Ray and I think he'll edge me out," she said.

"He's a stalwart, he's never been nominated before and it is about time for him because he's been on our screens for 22 years and I would really like him to win."