Sister act

IT can only be a tribute to their mother that Megan and Rosie de Wolf, stars of the cult TV series League of Gentleman and The Priory, remain refreshingly childish.

For nine-year-olds who have been catapulted from such a young age into the spotlight, it's easy to picture youngsters exposed to too much too young, pushed to success who, in turn, become conceited and precious about their own fame.

Yet, the two little girls standing before me, graciously introducing themselves, seem anything but.

They come across initially as a little shy and retiring but once the ice has broken they both, simultaneously, launch into gabble of excited chatter about friends, trampolining and their blatant disgust for their brown and yellow private school uniform.

There is no 'Do you know we're famous' complexes here. Just two, practically identical, little girls with auburn hair and endearing freckles who are nothing more than nine. Not nine going on 21, just excitable, sweet and innocent nine-year-olds.

And by talking to their mum Lyn, a mother of five, you can see why.

You can't help but think a mum who, in effect, encouraged her kids onto the stage at the tender age of six would be one of these women who lives out her dreams through her children. Pushing them to success and berating them when they don't measure up. But Lyn de Wolf is a world away from this archetypal showbiz mum. Instead she is a jolly, warm and relaxed individual whose surprise at her twins' success is almost as refreshing as the girls themselves.

For her, their success is all a complete shock, a gift from out of the blue that she tells the girls to enjoy for what it is and not be surprised if it all ends tomorrow.

She comes across as very down-to- earth, explaining to her girls how they are extremely privileged and should have fun and relish their experiences.

"I don't want them to be precious about what they are doing," said Lyn, of Wilton Road, Shirley.

"At the end of the day, they are experiencing something most nine-year-olds only dream of. Meeting their idols, having pictures taken with big stars and getting to act, but they know they have just been very lucky, that it can quite as easily disappear as easily as it came and I do not want them affected by all this if it does die off eventually.

"At the moment it is just one in a long line of hobbies they have, except this one pays them money. In between school and acting, the girls have a truly hectic schedule with gymnastics, tae kwon do and the like, that they are practically busy every night.

"They do love the acting and they do get disappointed when they audition for a part and don't get it, but I try to keep their feet on the ground as much as possible and not fill their head with cynicism.

"They've missed out on a few jobs by a whisker and it is hard to explain to them why. But they both know that they are very lucky to have had the opportunities they have had and if it ends here then they have a lot of wonderful memories."

As the two girls, now changed into tracksuits and spangly trousers ready for trampolining, sit before me showing me some of their favourite celebrity snaps, there is a slight hint of the star that comes out in Rosie, who, by her mother's own admission, is the one who seems to have just a little bit more to prove.

She is a little bossier than Megan, a little more seeking of my attention but that, I understand, is because it is her sister that has been used for more acting roles and her sister that doesn't have to try so hard to be good in gym and other hobbies. Often the girls are cast in the same role, as in Lynda La Plante's Trial and Retribution IV, but in this instance, it was Megan who did the majority of the acting while Rosie looked on. That is not to say that Rosie is not equally as pretty or equally as talented. It just seems that Megan is slightly the stronger character and Rosie's slight bolshieness comes across, not as nasty or bitter, but perhaps just her attempt to jump out of her sister's shadow a little.

"If I can say something for just a minute without you interrupting, Megan? Thank you! Now, I actually think that The Priory was the best show we have done because we got to meet loads of famous people who were really lovely to us. Although our first film, Mothertime, was excellent too.

"We met Emma Bunton from the Spice Girls on The Priory and got to ask her questions and Martine McCutcheon . All our friends at school think it is great.

"There are a few, especially one, who say they don't think what we do is interesting and they don't like any of the stars we meet but we think that's just jealousy.

"When I grow up though, I would rather be a model than an actress. That's what I really want to do."

Oblivious to her sister's considered statement Megan continues to babble on at the same time, debating whether Beppe di Marco from EastEnders or Jamie Theakston is the more gorgeous.

"Rosie takes things really well and doesn't seem to mind that Megan is in front occasionally," added their mum.

"I'm saving all the money they earn at the moment with the intention of buying them a house, which they can either use or sell when they are 18.

"I do not believe in spoiling them rotten giving them the money to squander. They have been quite privileged and this money will help them when they get older."

Megan added: "I've been allowed to buy a CD and when we're older we'll have our own house. That's going to be excellent."

With TV work falling a little quiet now, the girls have time to catch up with their friends, continue their sports and generally be children. But the constant trek to London for auditions will begin again after their Christmas holiday in Florida and who knows, the next Drew Barrymore or Richardson sisters could be discovered right here in Southampton!