Nicola Duffett – who found fame on EastEnders as Debbie Bates – went from living a luxury lifestyle to surviving off benefits, before securing a role on rival soap Coronation Street.
The 59-year-old actress first appeared on EastEnders in 1993.
Her character was married to Nigel Bates, but she was eventually killed off in a tragic car accident in 1995.
Nicola then went to star as Cat Matthews in Family Affairs and was able to enjoy a life of grandeur thanks to her hefty pay packet of more than £100k-a-year.
She would take three holidays a year, eat at posh restaurants and regularly shop at Harrods.
However, that soon ended once Nicola's work and bank balance dried up after Family Affairs was axed.
The mum-of-two then had to rely on a £64-a-week handout.
Speaking to The Croydon Advertiser in 2009, Nicola said: "I have gone from not caring about how much stuff costs to checking the prices of absolutely everything.
"But I love it – picking up a bargain – it is so much more satisfying than going out every night to posh restaurants and just paying the bill."
She added: "I wish I had learned to save, but we actors and actresses we just are not very business-minded.
"I just went into a bad place when they axed Family Affairs."
At the time of the interview, Nicola admitted to having just £27 in her bank account. She even had to borrow money from her agent to get her car unclamped.
Things eventually started to look up for Nicola as she managed to kick-start her acting career, which has included a stint on Coronation Street.
In 2010, Nicola played the role of Eileen in the hit movie Made In Dagenham. She then went on to play Daisy Skelton in Waterloo Road, Shawna Peace in Doctors, and Alice Stone in Collateral.
Her other TV credits include Holby City, Deep Water, Endeavour, and Heart to Heart.
Fans of Coronation Street will recognise Nicola as Yasmeen's cell mate Lucie Fernsby.
Most recently, she portrayed Geraldine in the Amazon Prime series Agatha Raisin this year.
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