The Downton Abbey star on being a goofy kid, coping with a terrible blow, and why she doesn’t struggle with impostor syndrome

This photo was taken in my garden in Cookham. I’m in my OshKosh dungarees, holding a half-eaten Funny Feet strawberry swirl ice-cream, and the elaborate butterfly face paint must have been from a school summer fete or a birthday party. As for the hair, I’m rocking some proper tight ringlets. I still rock a tight ringlet, to be honest.

The information I have about myself from that age is from other people, my parents, mainly. I know that I was very expressive, with no inhibitions. I was apparently pretty spirited and very goofy in general. As much as I enjoyed making people laugh, I was also insanely well behaved and terrified of getting in trouble. That fear also hasn’t changed. I can’t stand being told off.