Carmen Electra tells Brian McIver why she made a family Christmasfilm and her festive season plans

 Tell us about your new film and what it was like making it?

It's a feel-good movie about a familycalledtheSaunders,who movetoEdmonton,Canada, for Christmasafterthefather(played byPatrickSwayze) isoffereda newjob. Buthispositionfallsthrough. Despiteall thesefinancialworries, hedecides totakehis familytoa shoppingmall forChristmasEve. Iplayoneof threethieveswho leaveabagof counterfeitmoneyat themall,whichis laterfoundbythe Saunderskidsandspentonpresents. That'swhenall themadnessbegins.

Makingthefilmwasablast. Canadaisamazing-Ihadthebest timeandlaughedonseteveryday. Thecastandcrewwereall super-close. Having worked withPatrick Swayze on one of his last projects, it must have been very sad to hear of his passing recently.

Whatwas it like toworkwith him?

Patrickhadsuchanamazingspirit. It was suchagreatexperiencetowork withhimandIfeel fortunatethat I got toknowhim. I tookthenewsofhispassing withthegreatestsadness.Theworld has lostaniconofmoderncinema. Hisperformanceinthisfilmis just spectacular. We're used to seeing you in more grown-up comedies or sexy shows.Whatdrew you tomakinga cute family film this time?

I have beenlookingatsomedifferent projects forawhilenow.WhenI got thescript forChristmasIn Wonderland,Istraightawaythought, 'This is it!'. Thefilmcombinesafamilytheme, similar tosomeofmyprevious projects,butIgot toplayavillain, whichwasfun. I lovebeingthebad girl sometimes.

You also have anewTV showcoming up about singles finding love on the Greek islands.Canyou tell us about your favourite or most memorable holiday romance?

My holiday romancestill continues -ImetmyfiancRobonvacation andwehavebeentogethersince. I amverymuchinlove. You have lots of different projects, such as Christmas InWonderland and other films, the burlesqueshows in LasVegas and yourTV work, all on the go at once. With somanydifferent aspects to your career,what is your favourite part of your job andwhy?

I enjoy all the aspects of my work. I love acting-I relish the challenge each new project brings with it. AsIsaid,playingadarkcharacter inChristmasInWonderlandwasa valuableexperience.

Iworkedreallyhardonmy stripteasecardioDVDandlearning theroutinewasagreatexperience. IenjoygoingtostripclubsandI pickedupalotof tipsformyDVD. It'sbeenabusytimebut I'mnot complaining.

Yournewmovie is all about Christmas.Whenit comes to the festive season, are you a party girl or a family girl?Whatare your plans for the holidays?

I am such a home andfamilygirl. I'm notsomuchthepartygirl thesedays. ThisyearI'mspendingChristmas withRob.WearegoingtoAspento spendthedaybyalogfireandtoast to our futurelivestogether.

You are an internationally beloved sex symbol and one of the most recognised stars in the world.Whatcan you tell us about yourself that wedon'tknow, such as habits, hobbies or secret talents?

I have a bad habit of drinking up to eight cans of cola a day. Is there such a thing as a Coca-Colarehab because I need it. I guessnotmanypeopleknowthat eventhoughinBaywatchIplayeda lifeguard,Iamafraidofwater-Ican barelyswim. Iamalsoabigfanof realityshows -Ilovestayingathomeinfrontof the TVwithaboxofpizza.

You have launched a very successful strip aerobics video and Electra-Pole dance accessory.Canyou tell Scottishmenhowglad they will be if they buythem for their girlfriends? Apart frombeingagreatworkout,my DVDsteachwomensexydance moves. Learningstripteasecandefinitely makethemmoreconfident ina bedroom.

Whatis on your wish list for Santa this year?

I loveunderwear-myfavourite brandsareCocoLeMerandAgent Provocateur. I thinkagirlcannever haveenoughnicelingerie. Whatare your favourite Christmas movies andwhy?

I lovetheHomeAlonemovies-I watchre-runseveryyear. Oneof thereasonsIdecidedtostar inChristmasInWonderlandwas becauseI sawsimilaritiesbetween themoviesandIwantedtobeapart of thisChristmas fantasy. Itwouldbesocool if inyearsto comepeoplewerewatchingitevery Christmas. ChristmasInWonderlandisout on DVD now.