Laila Rouass planning 'quiet' 40th birthday

Actress Laila Rouass has revealed that she is hoping for a 'low-key' birthday when she turns 40 later this year.

The former Footballers Wives' star, who has joined the cast of Holby City as surgeon Sahira Shah, reaches the milestone age on June 22 but said she is planning to "hide" on that day.

"I always do on my birthday, I never celebrate birthdays," she said.

Laila added, "I usually switch off my phone. I can't bear it; obviously I'm not a very social person like that.

"It's the fuss and the hoo haa, I can't bear it. I've always been like that, it's terrible and I forget everybody else's birthday because I don't make a big deal of mine - it's unimportant."

The actress also said that she thought HD television was the "worst invention ever" since it showed up every imperfection.

"It shows everything," she admitted. "I've been taught always be nice to the lighting people - they're the people you make friends with straight away so that's what I do."

"Of course it's scary because you can see wrinkles."