FINDING a partner seems to be getting increasingly difficult in these busy times. And new BBC1 drama, A Thing Called Love, has tapped into the romantic dilemma of the moment.

Lead characters Gary, played by Paul Nicholls, and his best mate Paula, alias actress Liz White, are on a desperate hunt to meet The One.

The single duo move in together next week and, as the weeks go by, they could be about to realise that love is staring them in the face. Or maybe not.

Unfortunately, actress Liz White isn't about to give anything away.

''They see a different side of each other as the show goes on. They might end up falling in love,'' says Liz, 26, who's being frustratingly cryptic about the outcome.

But first their friendship is tested to the limit when Gary moves in.

''Living together starts to put strain on the relationship. They're spending more and more time with each other and start to ask more of each other and the boundaries get blurred,'' she says.

Blurred is definitely an understatement as, by the following week, Paula is after her flatmate's sperm.

''Gary and Paula are at their friends Floyd and Chantelle's baby's christening, as godparents. Not being in a relationship at that point, Paula thinks if she can't get love from a partner then she can get unconditional love from a baby.

''This being the 21st century, she doesn't need sex or a partner to have a baby but she needs sperm so she asks Gary for some.''

It's all part of a normal day in this enjoyable drama.

Liz was delighted to land the part to add to her already impressive CV, which includes Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Ultimate Force, and was among the cast in the last series of Channel 4's Teachers, starring opposite Andrew Lincoln.

''I was really nervous about working with Andrew because I'd seen him in a play called Blue/Orange. I never thought for a minute I'd end up doing a scene with him, let alone a love scene, and there I was on the first day of filming.

''Luckily, there are so many other things going on to distract you from the fact that you're lying there half naked with a complete stranger who you've watched and fancied on screen, that it's not too bad.''

And now she's following up her scenes opposite Andrew with Paul Nicholls.

''It's not bad is it?'' says Liz. ''Paul and I got the job without meeting each other. As soon as we started working together it was sound. He works so hard and is so committed and a lovely bloke. And ultra fit, of course.''

But all these love scenes play havoc with a girl's body confidence and Liz was no exception.

''I think it's in everyone's mind when they're going to be exposed,'' she agrees. ''You try and battle with yourself.

''I had quite a few scenes in my underwear. You see Paula as she lives - getting up for work, choosing what to wear, in bed, crying and laughing, everything. That's what Gary sees.

''The choice was there to transform myself into this super svelte woman, which I'm not naturally. I thought, 'What's the point because neither's Paula?'.

''I did join a gym while I was in Nottingham as a little treat for myself. Now I'm back in London I'm swimming every day.

''I tend to put on the pounds, eat too many Haribos and pic'n'mix. I find myself just going to the cinema because I know they sell them.''

Like Paula, Liz is also single. But, unlike her character, finding a man is not her sole purpose in life.

''I don't have a boyfriend at the moment and I'm not bothered. If someone who I liked asked me out on a date tomorrow, I might go but I'm not going to be doing any asking for some time.

''I've mainly been out with actors in the past. Nobody famous - they're all losers - unemployed. When I say actor I actually mean they've played dames in panto,'' she jokes.

For now she's enjoying a well-earned break, and waiting for the next job to come in.

''I wouldn't want to say what's going to happen next. I'm just trying to relax at the moment. Having just done A Thing Called Love it's left me really satisfied and for the minute I'm enjoying that feeling.''

She's certainly put the effort in to get herself to where she is today.

''I'm thrilled with how my career's gone so far,'' says Liz. ''I did Liverpool, did a degree in Performing Arts and Acting and got a First. I suppose I worked hard and was a bit of a square. But I really wanted to do it.

''I wanted to act from when I was 11 even though I was never in any school plays. I was like, 'Yeah, I want to be an actor but I'm not going to do anything about it - it's just going to happen'.

''My mate went to this youth theatre group in Plymouth so I started going when I was 11 and it all went from there. Watching decent dramas like She'll Be Wearing Pink Pyjamas and Abigail's Party at home with my mum and dad and two elder brothers got the ball rolling.

''I just loved the drama of it all.''

* A Thing Called Love is on Tuesdays on BBC1.