Let's make this birthday one to remember.

56 years old (Born on May 12, 1968)

Actress, comedienne, writer; She is famous from The Catherine Tate Show.

Catherine played Donna for a one-off Christmas special, and everyone loved her so much they wanted her to come back as a proper companion, but didn't think she'd do it. But she said yes! Catherine has a daughter named Erin who was born in February 2003. Growing up Catherine suffered from an obsessive-compulsive disorder; it was a word association disorder. An example of what Catherine had to live with would be: she couldn't leave her jumper on the floor before going to bed because it would bring bad luck to her mum; her mother's name is Josephine and it starts with a 'J' like jumper. (tv.com) Catherine loves animals and has cats and dogs. She has a dog named Twinkle which John Barrowman gave her. July 2008, Catherine starred in the World Premiere of David Eldridge's Under the Blue Sky. The play revolves around three subtly connected love stories; Catherine played a nymphomaniac and appeared nude on stage. Some of Catherine's co-star included Nigel Lindsay, Francesca Annis, Lisa Dillon, Chris O'Dowd and Dominic Rowan.
(tv.com)

Catherine went to a Catholic boys' school because the facility at her Catholic girls' school did not have a program including acting. (tv.com)

Catherine originally trained as an actress and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company when she left drama school, but only played a couple of very small parts. She started doing comedy as a way of creating her own work, and her comedy made her famous. This fame then led to her landing straight acting roles, and in 2011 starring in her first Shakespeare play in the West End.

In an interview with Jonathan Ross, Catherine said that as a teenager growing up she was very reclusive and hardly spoke to anyone. She also said that each sketch she does is another face to hide behind.

In 2011, Catherine played God in the theatre production Sixty Six Books at the Bush Theatre, which was directed by Josie Rourke, who also directed Much Ado About Nothing. David Tennant was in the audience for one of the special '24 hour' performances.

Catherine received the Greatest Contribution in a 2008 poll with Doctor Who Magazine for her role as Donna Noble. She also scooped Best TV Actress from SFX magazine and came in at Number 3 for Sexiest Woman.

November 2008, Catherine painted a canvass for the charity Willow Foundation. An auction sold printed versions of painting and all proceed went to the charity that provides days out for people suffering from serious illnesses. (tv.com)

Catherine is at the heart of a controversy concerning the 2005 British Comedy Awards since it should have been awarded to her, but instead went to Ant and Dec because of fraudulous phone tactics by the company in charge of the show. Catherine received her award only in May 2008. (tv.com)

Her favorite Doctor Who episode is Turn Left.

Her favorite Doctor Who monster is the Ood. (tv.com)

In 2011, Catherine split from her long-term partner, and started dating Take That star Jason Orange.

After the birth of her daughter, Catherine suffered from postpartum depression; a condition she hid from her family. (tv.com)

Catherine helped the Bush Theatre adopt their two theatre cats, Pirate and Marley.

Catherine volunteers at Battersea Dogs Home.

December 2008, Catherine gave a reading as part of the Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards. The event gives Awards to children who are an inspiration to others; the ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey and was hosted by Prince Harry.
(tv.com)