RIVER City fans could wallow in the whimsical storyline recently in which sad-eyed, loser-in-love Iona McIntyre picked up a £1 scratch card and walked off with £50k in her purse and a determination to see the world.

But there is another side to the story; the actress who played Iona, Claire Knight, found herself scratched from the starting line-up – and she acknowledges the departure has not been easy to deal with.

"I was really sad to leave River City," she says.

"The decision took me aback because it was all so emotional. It was almost like losing someone.

"I realised that in real life I had got married, learned to drive and buy a house in the time I was in the show, so it has been a huge part of me.

"On top of all that, I was terrified about how I would make enough money. Plus, I have a 3½-year-old girl to think about."

However, Claire had solid support in the transition process from her husband, actor Simon McCallum.

"He's been brilliant," she says. "And I think it is good in that he understands what is happening. He has got me through it.

"He has helped me to remember that very few people have a job for life, and you don't go into acting expecting to play one part. You do it for the variety."

That first indication of exciting, varied work has already come her way. This week Claire stars in Remember You Are Beauty Full, Oran Mor's lunchtime play, by Matthew McVarish.

"I play Alanah, who is in her early thirties and at a crossroads in her life," she explains.

"She is very funny, divorced, and has an 'ex' lurking around whom she refers to as 'bawjaws'.

"She has no kids and works at a drop-in centre for teenagers, handing out free contraception.

"We get to know her really well. Alanah's practical, speaks her mind and has quite a fiery temper."

Claire adds, grinning, "We all know an Alanah."

Alanah lives in a high rise flat and the play features a busy week in her life, with her best friend Zoe's wedding in the final furlong.

Work and home life is "stressing her to the point of Appalachia" and the only opportunity to catch her breath is in the peaceful isolation of the elevator up to her flat at the end of yet another a very long day."

But then Alanah notices the mysterious graffiti. "She is convinced there is nothing sinister going on," says Claire.

"But for the life of her she has no idea who is leaving messages such as Make Your Dreams Come True, Remember You Are Beauty Full and Kind Eyes.

"They are not threatening, rather a bit cheeky. But Alanah almost goes out of her brains trying to figure out who has been writing them."

Alanah knows the messages are for her because her name is mentioned.

Claire adds: "And it is not as if there is a ghost in the building. It's more like there is someone watching her."

Does the actress draw from her own character to play the role?

"Well, she is like me in a lot of ways," she says. "When I read the script I felt this was my voice. But I have to say I'm not quite so foul-mouthed.

"And I am more image conscious. Alanah can't be bothered with all that pink fluffy nonsense."

Claire, who grew up in Edinburgh, wanted to become a musician as a youngster – she played violin – then a fashion designer.

However, that changed at 15 when she appeared in Hiawatha and 'knew' she had to become an actress.

"I loved the idea of singing songs and dressing up," she recalls. "I loved the idea of becoming different people."

She adds: "Getting the chance to appear in a play like this is a fantastic reminder of why I became an actress in the first place."

l Remember You Are Beauty Full, Oran Mor, 1pm, until Saturday. Today/Tuesday/Thursday £10; Wednesday £8; Friday, Saturday £12.50. From box office on the day, or call 08444 771 000 or see: www.ticketweb.co.uk