Shobna has been a regular on Loose Women since March 2013 and is back for another series.
Working in the entertainment and performing arts industry for 28 years Shobna has had a varied experience. After studying modern languages in school and Arabic at Manchester University she went to do a post-graduate in dance at The Laban Centre, Goldsmith's College, UCL. Then a diploma from Middlesex University qualified her as a dance teacher. On stage, she was also model and dancer.
After a long stint working as a choreographer, theatre administrator, actor and dancer across the country in repertory theatre, childrens theatre, and on tour she got her first televison break on Victoria Wood's award winning dinnerladies. She went on to star in BAFTA award-winning, short film SHADOWSCAN in 2000, Then by February 2001, she was snapped up by national treasure, that is Coronation Street.
Shobna spent the next 12 years playing the unfortunate, unlucky in love, shop girl turned raunchy barmaid, Sunita Alahan. Leaving the soap this year in February 2013 and joining Loose Women as a regular panelist in March 2013. In between doing Coronation Street, Shobna has done some reality TV, some more drama, some more comedy, a bit of singing more dancing, choreography and some writing.
Shobna is a single mum and has been since she became pregnant! She is mother to an 18-year-old, Akshay Gulati. Her first loves are the arts and theatre and her passion is all things food, she loves cooking, she spends nearly all of her free time cooking curry in people's houses for charity, as their celebrity chef.
Find out more about Shobna in her Q&A below:
I'm best known for: Being a ditzy northern actress with a big nose
The proudest moment of my career is: When I got to work with Victoria Wood on Dinnerladies
The first thing I do in the morning is: Be thankful for the day and then practically I have to... sorry... break wind....
My favourite lunch is: A big avocado salad with grilled chicken or fish, if I'm lucky and if on the run... whatever I can eat gluten free. I absolutely hate any kind of sandwich-based lunch.
The most famous person in my phonebook is: Definitely a secret which I'm gonna keep to myself one clue... #fittie
The actress who would play me in a film about my life is: Well it would have to be me... Coz there is only one of me... Thank God!
My favourite memory from working on Loose Women is: Laughing
If I wasn't presenting Loose Women, I'd be: Sad
You'd be surprised to learn that: I have learnt trapeze, I don't swing from the rafters the trapeze is stationary and I love it
The one thing I couldn't live without is: A lovely cuppa tea
