The beautiful 29-year-old was given a frightening makeover to be transformed into a zombie bride for her upcoming TV role. Nicki will feature in BBC3’s newest comedy-reality game show ‘I Survived a Zombie Apocalypse’, airing this Sunday, February 15.

Between her filming schedule and modelling jobs, Nicki has also has been working on her fitness ahead of a charity challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for worldwide Cancer Research later this year.

The former Hermitage Academy pupil already has a good level of stamina as her work requires long working hours. Whilst filming with the BBC, Nicki was in her zombie role for up to 12 hours a day for one week. The programme involves 10 game show contestants being trapped in an abandoned shopping centre for a week before the army can save them from the zombies.

Nicki was excited about the role because she said it was unlike anything else she had ever done before. She said: “As an actor you want to be diverse in everything that you do.” Nicki started working in the entertainment industry from an early age and her first experience of performance was with the Margaret Rose School of Dance in Helensburgh. She went on to study musical theatre at West College in Glasgow before completing her degree at Hull University.

After working for Butlins as a Redcoat and entertaining on cruise ships she started working full time as a casting researcher for the BBC and STV. She said: “I missed my acting, so started going to acting lessons at night. I got an agent and started going to auditions.” She left her job last May to pursue her acting career. Nicki added: “I think it’s sometimes important to take a risk. I left a full-time well paid job.” Nick shared some words of wisdom for aspiring actors. She said: “Always keep going. If you get knocked back, learn from it. Take feedback on board, and learn new skills to add to your CV. Always network — it’s important. Be prepared to work hard and always to go workshops to improve your skills. Doing things like that give you the positivity and support you need.” Nicki’s soon going to be starring in a national modelling campaign and will appear on screen in 32 Red online casino commercials and aims to get a part in a television series. She added: “I’m continuing to go for auditions. I’d love to get a part in a comedy or even a crime thriller. I like variety.” In her spare time she will train for her Mount Kilimanjaro climb along with 11 students from the University of Stirling.

She said: “My friend at Stirling wanted to do it with the university and I begged to be part of it, but I wasn’t a student. I sent them loads of emails begging them to take part. Someone ended up dropping out so they contacted me – and that was it. I’ve got to raise £3000 for the charity. It’s an exciting challenge.” She’s walking the West Highland Way in April and plans to keep active at the weekends to improve her fitness levels.

Although she moved to Glasgow two-years-ago, Nicki is appealing to the Helensburgh community to support her in the charity climb. She said: “I’ll be coming to Helensburgh to fundraise and might also hold a beauty fundraising event soon.” Readers can sponsor Nicki online at www.give.everydayhero.com/uk/nicki-macdonald.